EZ Autos 6x

EZ Autos 6x
2010 K.J. Strickland
EZ Autos User's Guide

An essential "must read" for every EZ Autos user
by K.J. Strickland
EZ Autos 6x
All rights reserved. No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without the
written permission of the publisher.
Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the
respective owners. The publisher and the author make no claim to these trademarks.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author assume no
responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this
document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it. In no event shall the publisher and
the author be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused
directly or indirectly by this document.
Printed: September 2010 in (Withcott, Queensland, Australia)
Publisher
K.J. Strickland
Managing Editor
K.J. Strickland
Technical Editors
K.J. Strickland
Cover Designer
K.J. Strickland
Production
Raptor Services
EZ Autos 6x
Table of Contents
Foreword
10
Part I Introduction
1 Welcome
...................................................................................................................................
to EZ Autos
10
2 EZ Autos
...................................................................................................................................
features
10
3 System
...................................................................................................................................
requirements
13
4 Getting
...................................................................................................................................
help
13
16
Part II The download packages

1 EZ Autos
...................................................................................................................................
component package
16
2 Autos...................................................................................................................................
Map component package
17
3 Auto Adverts
...................................................................................................................................
component package
18
4 EZ Feeds
...................................................................................................................................
component package
18
5 The modules
...................................................................................................................................
packages
19
6 Other...................................................................................................................................
available downloads
20
23
Part III Installations and Upgrades

1 New EZ
...................................................................................................................................
Autos Installation
24
2 EZ Autos
...................................................................................................................................
upgrades
25
3 Upgrading
...................................................................................................................................
from V5 to V6x of EZ Autos
26
4 New Autos
...................................................................................................................................
Map Installation
28
5 Autos...................................................................................................................................
Map upgrades
28
6 New Auto
...................................................................................................................................
Adverts Installation
29
7 Auto Adverts
...................................................................................................................................
upgrades
29
8 New EZ
...................................................................................................................................
Feeds Installation
30
9 EZ Feeds
...................................................................................................................................
upgrades
31
10 New module
...................................................................................................................................
installations
32
11 Module
...................................................................................................................................
upgrades
32
12 New plugin
...................................................................................................................................
installations and upgrades
33
35
Part IV Overview and use of EZ Autos

1 The EZ
...................................................................................................................................
Autos Admin cPanel
35
System Management
..........................................................................................................................................................
Areas
36
Vehicle Manager
......................................................................................................................................................... 36
Overview of the vehicle
.........................................................................................................................................
manager screen
36
Overview of the add/edit
.........................................................................................................................................
vehicle listing form
39
Add/edit a vehicle.........................................................................................................................................
listing
45
Removing a vehicle
.........................................................................................................................................
listing
45
Publishing/unpublishing
.........................................................................................................................................
a vehicle listing
46
Categories......................................................................................................................................................... 47
Contents
Overview of the .........................................................................................................................................

category manager screen
47
Overview of the .........................................................................................................................................
add/edit category screen
49
Add/edit category......................................................................................................................................... 50
Removing a category
......................................................................................................................................... 51
Re-ordering the categories
......................................................................................................................................... 52
.........................................................................................................................................
categories
52
Makes
......................................................................................................................................................... 53
Overview of the make
.........................................................................................................................................
manager screen
53
.........................................................................................................................................
make screen
54
Add/edit make ......................................................................................................................................... 55
Removing a make......................................................................................................................................... 56
.........................................................................................................................................
makes
56
Models
......................................................................................................................................................... 57
Overview of the models
.........................................................................................................................................
manager screen
57
.........................................................................................................................................
model screen
59
Add/edit model ......................................................................................................................................... 60
Removing a model
......................................................................................................................................... 60
.........................................................................................................................................
models
61
Engine size......................................................................................................................................................... 61
Overview of the engine
.........................................................................................................................................
size manager screen
62
.........................................................................................................................................
engine size screen
64
Add/edit engine size
......................................................................................................................................... 64
Removing an engine
.........................................................................................................................................
size
65
Re-ordering the engine
.........................................................................................................................................
sizes
65
.........................................................................................................................................
engine sizes
66
Price increments
......................................................................................................................................................... 66
Overview of the price
.........................................................................................................................................
increment manager screen
67
.........................................................................................................................................
price increment screen
69
Add/edit price list.........................................................................................................................................
increment
69
Removing a price.........................................................................................................................................
list increment
70
Re-ordering price.........................................................................................................................................
list increments
71
.........................................................................................................................................
price increments
71
Profile manager
......................................................................................................................................................... 72
Overview of the profile
.........................................................................................................................................
manager screen
73
.........................................................................................................................................
seller profile screen
75
Add/edit profile ......................................................................................................................................... 81
Removing a profile
......................................................................................................................................... 82
.........................................................................................................................................
profiles
82
VIP Buyers.........................................................................................................................................................
register
83
Overview of the .........................................................................................................................................
buyers register screen
83
Overview of the .........................................................................................................................................
add/edit buyers register screen
85
Add/edit prospective
.........................................................................................................................................
buyer
86
Removing a prospective
.........................................................................................................................................
buyer
87
Static content
.........................................................................................................................................................
manager
87
Overview of the static
.........................................................................................................................................
content manager screen
88
Overview of the edit
.........................................................................................................................................
static content screen
89
Editing the static content
......................................................................................................................................... 89
Masking static content
.........................................................................................................................................
output
90
Configuration
.........................................................................................................................................................
settings
90
Overview of the Configuration
.........................................................................................................................................
Settings
90
Maintenance ..........................................................................................................................................................
Tools
107
Synch new
.........................................................................................................................................................
members with profiles
107
Clean listings
......................................................................................................................................................... 108
Prune shortlist
......................................................................................................................................................... 108
EZ Autos 6x
Manage orphan
.........................................................................................................................................................
uploads
108
Send Listing
.........................................................................................................................................................
Expired Email Alert
109
Send VIP.........................................................................................................................................................
Buyer Notifications
109
Send Listings
.........................................................................................................................................................
Report to Sellers
109
Optimize tables
......................................................................................................................................................... 109
Upgrade database
......................................................................................................................................................... 110
Tabbed Extras
.......................................................................................................................................................... 110
The Checks
.........................................................................................................................................................
tab
110
Imports ......................................................................................................................................................... 110
2 The ...................................................................................................................................
Frontend public areas
111
Home page .......................................................................................................................................................... 111

Listings pages
.......................................................................................................................................................... 113
Find a Dealer/Seller
.......................................................................................................................................................... 113
View Profile ..........................................................................................................................................................
page
114
VIP Buyers Register
.......................................................................................................................................................... 114
3 The ...................................................................................................................................
EZ Autos Frontend user area
114
The Frontend..........................................................................................................................................................
EZ Panel
115
Manage profile
..........................................................................................................................................................
settings
116
Manage shortlist
..........................................................................................................................................................
area
117
Overview of ..........................................................................................................................................................
the add/edit screen
118
Part V Overview and use of Autos Map
120
Part VI Over and use of Auto Adverts
124
Part VII Overview and use of EZ Feeds
126
Part VIII Overview and use of available modules
129
1 Dealer/seller
...................................................................................................................................
search module
129
2 Featured
...................................................................................................................................
vehicle module
130
3 Featured
...................................................................................................................................
dealer/seller module
132
4 Latest
...................................................................................................................................
sellers module
133
5 EZ Autos
...................................................................................................................................
Makes Module
135
6 EZ Autos
...................................................................................................................................
menu module
136
7 Multiple
...................................................................................................................................
featured vehicles module
138
8 New...................................................................................................................................
vehicle listings module
140
9 Random
...................................................................................................................................
vehicle listings module
141
10 Search
...................................................................................................................................
module
143
11 Slideshow
...................................................................................................................................
module
144
12 EZ Loan
...................................................................................................................................
calculator module
146
149
Part IX Overview of the miscellaneous addons

1 Content
...................................................................................................................................
element files for JoomFish
149
Contents
Index
Foreword
Part
10
EZ Autos 6x
Introduction
1.1
Welcome to EZ Autos
EZ Autos is a simple - yet comprehensive vehicle listing component and multi-module
combo for Joomla! content management systems. Although it's simple to use - it comes
with a huge list of features to make your listings look great - and it's all very configurable
via the admin backend.
Now into its 5th year of development, EZ Autos has undergone significant change and
improvement since its initial release. It just continues to grow and get better - and this is
due to the valuable feedback provided by customers. I'd like to say thank you - because
without your ideas and inspiration - EZ Autos would be a shadow of what it is. Your ideas
for new features keep my "todo" list well stocked with development work, so I'm always
busy learning new code and writing upgrades for new releases.
This help manual has been written to give you an overview of EZ Autos, how to install and
upgrade it, what the various settings and data management areas are, and how to use it
all on your site.
1.2
EZ Autos features
Quick Install
It takes a minute to install EZ Autos on your web server - and another couple to install
the multitude of modules available. Yes, it doesn't take long to get the packages installed
onto your Joomla site.
Multiple Business Models

EZ Autos is designed to meet the needs of multiple business models - from the single
motor vehicle dealership listing vehicles for sale, multi-dealer businesses, and community
sales portals offering FSBO listing services. Simply configure it to meet the needs of your
business model.
Profiling System
EZ Autos allows your sellers to promote their business, and share their contact details.
Supports multiple contact methods, including direct contact, snail mail, email, telephone,
SMS via Clickatell, and 3 online messaging systems. New in version 5.2.0 are profile
privileges - enabling your members to manage more aspects of their listings such as
publish/unpublish, skip the paid listings process, reset the expiry date and more. Profiling
privileges are an excellent way to keep employees out of the backend - yet allow them
certain privileges normally only accessible via the admin area.
Introduction
11
PayPal IPN Enabled

Turn your EZ Autos-powered site into a money-maker with the paid listings functionality.
Two sales levels allow you to charge for upgrades from free listings to "premium" and
"featured" listings - or run in paid listings only mode.
Expiry Management System

Limit your listings based on page impressions or time - eg. 30 day listings. Easy to use
"clean listings" function to remove expired listings, and email notification for expired
listings.
SEO
EZ Autos comes with support for SEF Advance, and also works on the core Joomla SEF
URL system - so you've got two SEF-friendly URL choices for your vehicle listings. Also,
add a meta description and meta keywords to your description, and the meta title is
generated from existing data. Our SEO Partner Denis Dulici also has a range of products
to enhance your SEO goals - with plugins for JoomSEF, sh404sef and Xmap.
Easy Layouts
Front-end templating system makes changing the layout of data on listing pages and the
full details page. Four different layouts are currently available for the listings pages, and 6
different layouts are available for the full details page - including tabbed pages, javascript
sliders, wide layouts, narrow page layouts. In addition to this - the image layouts/
systems are interchangeable with the full details page templates - enabling you to
achieve a layout and image system that suits your site needs and design dimensions.
Three different layouts are available for the EZ Autos opening page - a combo layout
combining quick search forms, featured listings and categories, the standard category
names layout or the make/model structured layout. These are all easily configured via the
EZ Autos admin configuration area - and you can choose which one best suits your site
needs and preferences.
Multiple currency support

You can choose which currency best suits your listings.
Professional Image Presentation

In an industry where looks is everything, EZ Autos gives you a top-quality image display
system. Templates come with Javascript rollover images, and some have the slimbox/
lightbox image systems available. List up to 24 images with image descriptions - they're
uploaded, thumbnailed and resized during the save process. Version 5.2.0 introduced
image watermarking - to give your sold and featured listings a distinctive look.
12
EZ Autos 6x
VIP Buyer's Register

Don't miss sales opportunities just because you don't have a listing people want. The VIP
Buyer's Register allows you to collect details of purchaser requirements. Emails sent to
people on the VIP Buyer's Register contain a summary of key property information, an
image and the seller details - as well as a link to the vehicle listing and an unsubscribe
link. The email notification process can be configured to be automatic when new listings
are saved - or manually triggered via the EZ Autos admin cPanel.
Mapping Support
Comes with Google mapping support built-in.
RSS 2.0 Feeds

One RSS 2.0 feed of new vehicle listings allows you to get your message out to other
sites, and for your site visitors to stay informed of new listings via a desktop news reader
programme.
External Feeds
Two feeds to external vehicle listing sites to enable you to get broader exposure for your
listings - currently Google and Vast.
Cross-component integration
Seamlessly tap into other components such as MyPMS or uddeIM for personal messaging,
save newsletter subscribers directly to the Letterman newsletter component and promote
user interactivity with the jReviews commenting and ratings system.
Customer Tools
Cross-browser "add to favourites" bookmarking function, recommend to friend email, print
vehicle details, contact seller/dealer, add to mailing list request. Add to mailing list
requests are now saved to database, and can be exported in XML format for import into a
mailing list manager.
Multi-Lingual
EZ Autos has multi-lingual support - meaning it is coded with language tags and has a
language file system to enable the translation of embedded page text. It also comes with
a set of JoomFish and NokKaew content element files to enable you to translate the
database content.
Multiple ways to search
Introduction
13
EZ Autos has search filters, zip/postcode radius search, dealer/seller search and more.
Various databases of zip/postcodes are made available for download from the support
site, and we currently have Australian, US, and UK postcodes available. We do have a
number of other databases of postcode data awaiting conversion, and they'll be made
available when that work has been done.
Out-of-the-box functionality
As of version 5.2.0 - EZ Autos has a new system plugin to insert custom code into your
template header. This means you do not need to worry about modifying your template
with special code needed by EZ Autos special features and addons. It's all handled via
the automatic installer.
Bonus Addons
EZ Autos comes with a range of modules to extend your site, including:- new vehicle
listings, random vehicle listings, single featured vehicle listing, multiple featured vehicle
listings, vehicle makes, loan calculator, featured seller, latest sellers, large search filter,
dealer/seller search by locality, jReviews plugins for commenting and rating, and a
Community Builder plugin to enable display of a members listings on their Community
Builder profile tab.
Autos Map is a "companion component" for EZ Autos - a Google mapping component that
displays your vehicle listings on a single map. It also comes with a system plugin to
enable display of the map on your page output.
1.3
System requirements
EZ Autos is not a "stand-alone" script - it's a component developed for use with the
Joomla! content management system. As a "database-driven" PHP script, EZ Autos
requires:
1.4
Joomla! 1.5x content management system.

PayPal account if wanting to offer paid member's listings.
MySQL database - tested on servers running versions 3.23.54 - 5.0.51b
PHP scripting support - tested on servers running versions 4.2.2 - 5.2.6
Getting help
If your support subscription membership is current:If you've got a current support subscription at http://www.justjoomla.com - log into your
account and visit the helpdesk ticketing system in the support center. You'll be able to
post a support ticket there for assistance from support staff.
If your support subscription membership has expired:-
14
EZ Autos 6x
If your support subscription at http://www.justjoomla.com has expired and you don't wish
to renew it - you can still log into your account and visit the community forum for
assistance from other EZ* users. Please not though that support staff do not provide
support on the community forum - so you will not necessarily receive assistance from
other users.
Other ways to solve your problems: Determine whether your problem is an EZ Autos problem or a core Joomla problem.
Sometimes when a problem is apparent in EZ Autos, people incorrectly assume it's an EZ
Autos problem - when the cause was due to incorrectly setting up Joomla. So, it's
always worthwhile to correctly determine the source of the problem.
Read through the user guide thoroughly.
Read the online help articles at http://www.justjoomla.com
Things not to do:Please do not send an email request for support, as all support is provided online to avoid
problems with email-based communication and to ensure those seeking support have a
current support subscription. You will be referred to the online support systems if you do
send an email request.
Do not jump in and pay an unknown person claiming to be a Joomla expert, coder, or
developer etc outrageous fees to install and setup EZ Autos on your site. The chances
are you will not get a functioning site and you will lose your money. There have been a
couple of cases like this - and it's unnecessary.
We have a professional installation/upgrade service available for $99 (USD), and this is a
flat fee. You will get a fully functional EZ Autos installation done for you provided you
have made sure your server meets the specified system requirements.
Part
II
16
EZ Autos 6x
The download packages
2.1
EZ Autos component package

The EZ Autos package may contain 3 packages of importance to
you:1. New EZ Autos installation package:com_ezautos_XXXX_new-installation.zip - use this for a new EZ Autos installation
on your Joomla 1.5x system. This component package is not suitable for installation
on a Mambo/Joomla 1.0x system.
2. EZ Autos Upgrade installation package:com_ezautos_XXXX_upgrade.zip - use this to upgrade from a previous version of
EZ Autos to the latest version of EZ Autos on your Joomla 1.5x system. This
component package is not suitable for upgrading an EZ Autos installation running on a
Mambo/Joomla 1.0x site - and it should NOT be uploaded via the automatic installer on
Joomla 1.5x.
3. The AutosHeadTag system plugin:plg_autosheadtag_XXXX.zip - install and publish this in addition to EZ Autos on
your Joomla 1.5x system, as it's required for correct functioning of certain EZ Autos
features. You can upgrade a previous version of this system plugin by uploading the
files via FTP to the plugins/system directory - or uninstall the existing AutosHeadTag
system plugin and install the latest version when you upgrade. This plugin is not
suitable for installation on a Mambo/Joomla 1.0x site.
Notes:1. Installation:Install the new installation packages of EZ Autos using the Joomla 1.5x Extension
Manager installer. This is just information on what you use to perform an installation you need to read through this help manual further to review all activities involved in
the complete installation of EZ Autos and its addons.
2. Configuration:Prior to configuring EZ Autos - take the time to read through this user guide and get
to know the configuration area. While the AutosHeadTag system plugin doesn't
require any configuration - it does need to be published.
2.2
17
Autos Map component package

The Autos Map directory may contain 3 packages of importance to
you:1. New Autos Map installation package:com_autosmap_XXXX_new-installation.zip - use this for a new Autos Map
installation on your Joomla 1.5x system. This component package is not suitable for
installation on a Mambo/Joomla 1.0x system.
2. Autos Map Upgrade installation package:com_autosmap_XXXX_upgrade.zip - use this to upgrade from a previous version
of Autos Map to the latest version of Autos Map on your Joomla 1.5x system. This
component package is not suitable for upgrading a Autos Map installation running on a
Mambo/Joomla 1.0x site, and it should NOT be uploaded via the automatic installer on
Joomla 1.5x.
3. The Autos Map system plugin:plg_autosmap_XXXX.zip - install and publish this in addition to Autos Map on your
Joomla 1.5x system, as it's required for correct functioning of Autos Map. You can
upgrade a previous version of this system plugin by uploading the files via FTP to the
plugins/system directory - or uninstall the existing AutosMap system plugin and install
the latest version when you upgrade. This plugin is not suitable for installation on a
Mambo/Joomla 1.0x site.
Notes:1. Installation:Install the new installation packages of Autos Map using the Joomla 1.5x Extension
the complete installation of Autos Map and its addons.
2. Configuration:Prior to configuring Autos Map - take the time to read through this user guide and get
to know the configuration area. The Autos Map system plugin doesn't require any
configuration - but it does need to be published.
18
2.3
EZ Autos 6x
Auto Adverts component package

The Auto Adverts directory may contain 2 packages of importance to
you:1. New Auto Adverts installation package:com_autoadverts_XXXX_new-installation.zip - use this for a new Auto Adverts
installation on your Joomla 1.5x system. This component package is not suitable for
installation on a Mambo/Joomla 1.0x system.
2. Auto Adverts Upgrade installation package:com_autoadverts_XXXX_upgrade.zip - use this to upgrade from a previous version
of Auto Adverts to the latest version of Auto Adverts on your Joomla 1.5x system.
This component package should NOT be uploaded via the automatic installer on
Joomla 1.5x.
Notes:1. Installation:Install the new installation packages of Auto Adverts using the Joomla 1.5x Extension
the complete installation of Auto Adverts.
2. Configuration:There is no configuration required for Auto Adverts, as it calls all necessary

configuration settings from the EZ Autos system.
2.4
EZ Feeds component package

The EZ Feeds directory may contain 2 packages of importance to
you:1. New EZ Feeds installation package:com_ezfeeds_XXXX_new-installation.zip - use this for a new EZ Feeds installation
19
on your Joomla 1.5x system. This component package is not suitable for installation
on a Mambo/Joomla 1.0x system.
2. EZ Feeds Upgrade installation package:com_ezfeeds_XXXX_upgrade.zip - use this to upgrade from a previous version of
EZ Feeds to the latest version of EZ Feeds on your Joomla 1.5x system. This
component package should NOT be uploaded via the automatic installer on Joomla
1.5x.
Notes:1. Installation:Install the new installation packages of EZ Feeds using the Joomla 1.5x Extension
the complete installation of EZ Feeds and its addons.
2. Configuration:Prior to configuring EZ Feeds - take the time to read through this user guide and get
to know the configuration area.
2.5
The modules packages

The modules directory contains 3 packages of importance to you:EZ Autos comes with a whole swag of addons - and these are designed to give you
multiple options to extend your site layout and functionality. There really are a lot of toys
here - but it's also MOST important to be aware that the more you load onto your site the more you can affect site performance. This is more related to the graphics-heavy
nature of the addons - as the more graphics you have on a page - the slower the page
loading time. So - explore what's available - and choose what suits your needs.
1. Dealer search:mod_ezautos_dealersearch_version#.zip
2. Loan calculator:mod_ezloancalc_version#.zip
20
EZ Autos 6x
3. Menu links:mod_ezautos_menu_version#.zip
4. Featured dealer:mod_ezautos_featureddealer_version#.zip
5. Featured listing:mod_ezautos_featured_version#.zip
6. Latest sellers:mod_ezautos_latestsellers_version#.zip
7. Multiple featured listings:mod_ezautos_multifeatured_version#.zip
8. Search module:mod_ezautos_search_version#.zip
9. New listings:mod_ezautos_new_version#.zip
10. Random listings:mod_ezautos_random_version#.zip
11. Scrolling slideshow:mod_ezautos_slideshow_version#.zip
12. Vehicle makes:mod_ezautos_makes_version#.zip
13.
Slide-n-Fade:mod_ezautos_slidenfade_version#.zip
2.6
Other available downloads

EZ Realty has a number of other addons to provide extra features, or to enable EZ Realty
to interact with other addons.
1. jReviews voting and commenting integration support: 2010 K.J. Strickland
21
jReviews Everywhere files.zip (**not currently available for download as integration

is being updated**)
2. JoomFish translation support:JoomFish Files.zip
3. Zip/Postal Codes currently available for download: US zip/postal codes database in CSV and SQL format
Australian postal codes database in CSV and SQL format
UK postal codes database in CSV and SQL format (partial only at this stage)
There are 2 ways to get the zip/postcode data into your EZ Autos postcodes
reference table - the first way is to use the zip/postcode import function in the EZ
Autos admin cPanel tabbed page, and the second way is to import the data via
phpMyAdmin.
Some servers with permissions issues indicate a successful import has taken place
when using the import function - but the data may not have been entered into the
database. If this happens to you - you will need to use the SQL data file and import
the data via phpMyAdmin.
4. Vehicle makes/models
You'll also find a package containing a database dump of vehicle makes and models.
Simply import the data via phpMyAdmin's file import system.
Part
III
Installations and Upgrades
23

The key activities involved in getting everything installed and setup on Joomla 1.5x could
be summarized as follows:-
Key EZ Autos component installation activities:1. Install the EZ Autos component and migrate the site members
2. Create a main menu link to EZ Autos
3. Configure EZ Autos and save the settings
4. Install the EZ Autos system plugin and publish it
5. Install the PayPal payment gateway system plugin and publish it if wanting to use the
paid listings system
6. Get a Google Mapping API ID# if wanting to use the mapping system. These can be
obtained here:- http://code.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html
Key Autos Map component installation activities:1. Install the Autos Map component
2. Create a main menu link to Autos Map
3. Configure Autos Map and save the settings
4. Install the Autos Map system plugin and publish it
5. Get a Google Mapping API ID# if wanting to use the mapping system. These can be
obtained here:- http://code.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html
Key Auto Adverts component installation activities:1. Install the Auto Adverts component
Key EZ Feeds component installation activities:1. Install the EZ Feeds component

2. Create a main menu link to EZ Feeds
3. Configure EZ Feeds and save the settings
Various EZ Autos Modules

1. Install the various modules
2. Review and configure the parameters of each module via the module manager, and save
the settings
24
EZ Autos 6x
Other activities
1. The new listings RSS feeds have a placeholder image of the EZ Autos logo - so you will
want to personalize this with your own logo. Create an image called rss_logo.jpg and
upload it to the components/com_ezautos/images directory.
3.1
New EZ Autos Installation

Step 1
Install the EZ Autos component according to the Joomla extensions installation directions.
Refer to the Joomla help documentation for this. Normally, you follow the Extensions>Install/Uninstall admin area menu link and then use the "upload package file" installation
method.
Step 2
Once EZ Autos is installed - follow the "Components" -> "EZ Autos" menu link and the EZ
Autos admin cPanel will open.
Step 3
Click the "Sync Members and Listings" button located in the "Maintenance Tools" section
of the EZ Autos cPanel. This will pre-populate the EZ Autos profiles table with existing
site member details.
Step 4
Install the EZ Autos System Plugin and publish it. This plugin was packaged in the same
zip file as EZ Autos when you downloaded it.
Step 5
Create a main menu link to EZ Autos using the Joomla menu manager system. Do this step
now - as it'll save you from forgetting it later.
Step 6
Return to the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click on the "Configuration Settings" button in the
"System Management Areas" section of the EZ Autos admin cPanel, review all of the
configuration settings and update them to reflect your needs. Click the save button when
done, and return to the EZ Autos admin cPanel.
Step 7
Review the various system management areas - eg. categories, makes, models, engine
sizes, price list, profile manager and static content etc. Set this information up to meet
your site requirements and update the profile information.
25
Step 8
You can now create some vehicle listings to test out the front-end operation of your site.
3.2
EZ Autos upgrades
Doing an upgrade from an earlier EZ Autos 6.0x version is relatively easy, and the
essential steps are as follows:Step 1
Backup your site's files and database. This is always the first thing to do, as you will need
these in case something goes wrong and you need to restore your site
Step 2
FTP into your site - go to the Joomla root directory.
Step 3
unzip the com_autos_version#_upgrade.zip, and then browse the local file structure using
your FTP program until you find the unzipped directory. Move into this and you'll see 2
directories called "administrator" and "components". Just check again in the FTP window
for your server - you should also see directories by the same name in that window.
Step 4
upload the 2 directories using the FTP program, and when asked about overwriting
existing files/directories - select yes. Make sure all of the files and directories have a
successful upload indicator, because some server configurations may prevent the upload
via FTP and that will result in a failed upgrade process.
Step 5
once the new files have been uploaded, log into the admin area and follow the
"components"->"EZ Autos" menu link and you'll be into the EZ Autos admin cPanel. If
everything has gone as it should - everything should continue to work normally, and you
should see the new version number in the footer of EZ Autos.
Step 6
If there have been changes to the language file as a result of the upgrade - look inside
the com_ezautos_version#_upgrade.zip - and you'll see a language directory - and that
directory has the various EZ Autos language files. Upload the necessary language files to
both the admin and frontend language directories of your Joomla site, remembering to
upload the files to the relevant language sub-directory - eg. en-GB if using the english
language.
26
3.3
EZ Autos 6x
Upgrading from V5 to V6x of EZ Autos

Upgrading your EZ Autos installation from an older 5.x version to the new 6.x
version isn't difficult - but you MUST take your time - and you MUST make sure you
understand and follow every step very carefully.
Step 1
these in case something goes wrong and you need to restore your site. You will also need
the vehicle listing images, associated PDF files that were uploaded and any seller profile
images - so it is absolutely important that you've downloaded all of your site files to your
local computor's hard drive.
Step 2
FTP into your site - and the first place you'll be is the Joomla root directory. From there
you need to follow the administrator/components directory path - and once there you'll
see the com_ezautos directory. Rename that directory to com_autos-orig. Once that's
done - return to the root Joomla directory - and then go into the components directory.
You'll see the frontend component directories there - so rename the com_ezautos
directory in that particular directory to com_ezautos-orig. Now that you've got the EZ
Autos directories for the current installation renamed so they don't have any files
accidentally overwritten - it's time to move on to getting the new files uploaded.
Step 3
Before you begin uploading the new files and directories - there are two directories of
files that you do NOT need to upload as part of step 3. Those directories are the "lang"
and "sql" directories - as the sql directory is only used during the new installation process,
and if doing an upgrade - then the language files need to be uploaded separately. Remain
where you are in the frontend components directory - which should be viewable in the
main right window of your FTP programme. Use the left window of your FTP programme to
browse through your local file structure. Locate the directory that contains the contents
of the com_ezautos_6.x_new_installation.zip package - and you should see directories
called "admin" and "component", and a file called com_ezautos.xml. We'll just deal with
the directory called "component" at this stage - as it contains the files needed for the
frontend of your site. Return to the FTP browser window for your site - and remember
you should be in the frontend components directory. Create a new directory called
com_ezautos and then open up that directory. Also open the "components" directory
located in your left FTP browser window - and upload the contents of that directory to
the site's new com_ezautos directory. Once those files have been uploaded - return to
your site's root directory - and then FTP into the administrator/components directory.
Create a new com_ezautos directory once you get there - and then use your local files
browser window to open up the "admin" directory of the zip package you opened earlier.
That directory contains the contents of the admin side of EZ Autos - so upload the
contents of that directory to the administrator/components/com_ezautos directory. Once
you've uploaded the files - upload the com_autos.xml file which was outside of the
"admin" and "components" directory - and upload it to the administrator/components/
com_ezautos directory. This takes care of the actual system files - now it's time to deal
with the images and pdf files etc.
Step 4
27
Return to your site's root directory - and then go into the components/com_ezautos
directory. You will see directories called "ezautos", "pdfs", "profiles" - and inside the
"ezautos" directory is the thumbnails directory called "th". The site files that you
downloaded also contain those directories - so upload the image and PDF contents of
those directories up to the new directories - so your data will have the required images.
Alternatively - you can move the images and pdf files located within the renamed
com_ezrealty-orig directory across to the new directory.
Step 5
Running version 6 of EZ Autos on Joomla 1.5x also means that the language files are
located in a different place. You'll see the unzipped EZ Autos package contains a
directory called "lang" inside both the admin and components directories. These two
directories contain the EZ Autos language files - and they need to be uploaded to the
administrator/language/language type directory and the root language/language type
directory. Remember - each language has its own directory on Joomla 1.5x.
Step 6
once the new files have been uploaded, log into the admin area and follow the
"components"->"EZ Autos" menu link.
Step 7
when the page opens, you'll now be in the EZ Autos admin cPanel. First up click on the
"Migrate version 5 data to version 6" link. Only click this link once. This will make the
necessary changes to your database structure to work on the new version of EZ Autos.
Step 8
Next, you may need to sync your site members with the EZ Autos profiles database. You
only need to do this if you're upgrading from one of the older 4.x versions, and it only
requires you to click on the "Synch" button.
Step 9
Now it's time to go and update the configuration area - so click on the "Configuration
Settings" button and update the settings. There have been a number of changes - so
make sure you read through everything - configure the settings to the way you need
them - and then click the "save" button.
Step 10
Return to the EZ Autos admin cPanel and click on the "Vehicle Manager" button. Once
you've reached the list of vehicles - check through your listings and update any
information fields that require updating.
28
3.4
EZ Autos 6x
New Autos Map Installation

Step 1
Install the Autos Map component according to the Joomla component installation
directions. Refer to the Joomla help documentation for this. Normally, you follow the
"Extensions" -> "Install/Uninstall" admin area menu link and then use the "upload package
file" installation method.
Step 2
Create a main menu link to Autos Map using the Joomla menu manager system. Do this
step now.
Step 3
Once that has been done, follow the components=>Autos Map menu link and the
configuration page will be displayed. Update the settings to meet your site needs and
click the save button. You can read more about configuring Autos Map in the "Overview
and use of Autos Map" section of the Help manual.
Step 4
Install the plg_autosmap_version#.zip package using the Joomla 1.5x extensions installer,
and then publish this plugin.
NOTE - failure to install and publish the plg_autosmap_version#.zip plugin

package will result in display failure of the Autos Map component.
3.5
Autos Map upgrades

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
unzip the com_autosmap_version#_upgrade.zip, and then browse the local file structure
using your FTP program until you find the unzipped directory. Move into this and you'll see
2 directories called "administrator" and "components". Just check again in the FTP window
of your server - you should also see directories by the same name in that window.
Step 4
29
Step 5
once the files have been uploaded, log into the admin area and follow the "components">"Autos Map" menu link.
Step 6
when the page opens, you'll now be in the Autos Map configuration page. Update any
new configuration variables and then click the "save" button. Make sure you click the
"save" button regardless of whether you make configuration changes - because the
configuration file has some new internal variables that it will generate and save.
Step 7
Install the plg_autosmap_version#.zip package using the Joomla 1.5x extensions installer,
and then publish this plugin.
NOTE - failure to install and publish the plg_autosmap_version#.zip plugin

package will result in display failure of the Autos Map component.
3.6
New Auto Adverts Installation

Step 1
Install the Auto Adverts component according to the Joomla component installation
file" installation method. Install this component after you've installed EZ Autos, as Auto
Adverts requires certain files in EZ Autos - and if it isn't installed - Auto Adverts won't
work.
Step 2
Once that has been done, follow the components=>Auto Adverts menu link and you'll see
any available vehicle listings ready for having advertisements created.
3.7
Auto Adverts upgrades

Step 1
30
EZ Autos 6x
Step 2
Step 3
unzip the com_autoadverts_version#_upgrade.zip, and then browse the local file structure
Step 4
Step 5
once the files have been uploaded, log into the admin area and follow the "components">"Auto Adverts" menu link.
Step 6
when the page opens, you'll now be in the Auto Adverts system - and everything should
continue to work normally.
Step 7
the com_autoadverts_version#_upgrade.zip - and you'll see a language directory - and
that directory has the various Auto Adverts language files. Upload the necessary
language files to both the admin and frontend language directories of your Joomla site,
remembering to upload the files to the relevant language sub-directory - eg. en-GB if
using the english language.
3.8
New EZ Feeds Installation

Step 1
Install the EZ Feeds component according to the Joomla component installation
file" installation method.
Step 2
Create a main menu link to EZ Feeds using the Joomla menu manager system. Do this
step now before you forget.
Step 3
31
Once that has been done, follow the components=>EZ Feeds menu link and in the top
right corner of the page you'll see the configuration parameters icon. Update the settings
to meet your site needs and click the save button.
Step 4
Create some categories for your export feeds, and then publish them.
Step 5
Start creating the feeds. Click the new button, fill in the various fields, and select an
available feed. At the moment - there is only the Google feed available for exporting EZ
Autos listings via EZ Feeds - however please let me know the details of any other sites
that accept automotive feeds - eg. URL to the feed specifications page.
3.9
EZ Feeds upgrades
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
unzip the com_ezfeeds_version#_upgrade.zip, and then browse the local file structure
Step 4
Step 5
once the files have been uploaded, log into the admin area and follow the "components">"EZ Feeds" menu link.
Step 6
when the page opens, you'll now be in the EZ Feeds listings area. Click on the
configuration parameters icon and update any new configuration variables and then click
the "save" button.
32
EZ Autos 6x
Step 7
the com_ezfeeds_version#_upgrade.zip - and you'll see a language directory - and that
directory has the various EZ Feeds language files. Upload the necessary language files to
both the admin and frontend language directories of your Joomla site, remembering to
upload the files to the relevant language sub-directory - eg. en-GB if using the english
language.
3.10
New module installations

Install the various EZ Autos modules according to the Joomla extensions installation
Extensions->Install/Uninstall admin area menu link and then use the "upload package file"
installation method.
After you have installed the module, follow the Extensions->Module Manager admin area
menu link and configure the module parameters according to your site needs.
You can read more about use of the EZ Autos modules in the "Overview and use of the
modules" section in the user guide.
3.11
Module upgrades
When upgrading your EZ Autos installation - you should also thoroughly review all
of your modules - to make sure you're up-to-date. If you don't do this - you may
find your modules begin to malfunction - as occasionally changes with the core EZ
Autos system will affect various EZ Autos modules.
Step 1
Unzip the module package, and then browse the local file structure using your FTP
program until you find the unzipped directory. Move into this and you'll see the files and
any directories.
Step 2
Upload these (except the language directory) using your FTP program to the root Joomla
modules/module name directory, and when asked about overwriting existing files/
directories - select yes. When doing upgrades - you must make sure that the files
and directories you upload have actually overwritten the files and directories on
the server - otherwise the new files and directories will not be in the correct place
on the server and your upgrade will not work correctly.
Step 3
33
If there is a language directory inside the module you've just uploaded - the next step is
to upload the contents of the language directory to their appropriate Joomla language
directory. for example - upload language files beginning with en-GB to the root Joomla
language/en-GB directory.
Step 4
Once the file uploads are complete, go into the module manager and open up the module
you've just updated. Configure the module parameters to your site's needs, and then
click the "save" button.
Step 5
Repeat this procedure for all modules that you have installed on your site - and once
finished - check your site's front-end to make sure everything is being displayed correctly.
Step 6
Install any new modules that may be available with the EZ Autos system - and uninstall
any outdated ones that may no longer be provided.
3.12
New plugin installations and upgrades

Install the various EZ Autos plugins according to the Joomla extensions installation
Extensions->Install/Uninstall admin area menu link and then use the "upload package file"
installation method.
After you have installed the plugin, follow the Extensions->Plugin Manager admin area
menu link and configure the plugin parameters according to your site needs. For example
- the PayPal payment gateway plugin needs to have your PayPal settings configured - eg.
PayPal email address, currency, and whether to use the live PayPal system or the
sandbox system for testing purposes.
If you need to upgrade a plugin - uninstall the old one - and then reinstall the new one.
After that - go through the various new installation steps for plugins - eg. publish it and
then configure its parameters.
Part
IV
Overview and use of EZ Autos
4.1
The EZ Autos Admin cPanel
35
The control panel is your doorway to EZ Autos. It's where you'll find buttons to all the
admin areas that allow you to manage the vehicle listings on your site as well as other
aspects of site operation - and it's divided into 3 areas.
EZ Autos Admin Vehicle Manager cPanel
System Management Areas:These buttons lead to areas concerned with setting up the EZ Autos system to run
and manage your vehicle listings.
Maintenance Tools:The maintenance tools are press-button functions concerned with "housekeeping"
activities to keep your site squeaky clean, and press-button functions concerned with
sending out email notifications associated with your site operation
Tabbed Extras:The tabbed pages in the cPanel are where you'll find some miscellaneous bits
36
EZ Autos 6x
and pieces.
The RED Data Migration Link:If you've upgraded your site from EZ Autos V5x to V6, then the red data
migration link is a "one click" function to convert the older data and database
structure into a structure used by EZ Autos V6x. ONLY press this link once.
Be warned now - if you press it multiple times you WILL break your data.
4.1.1
System Management Areas
4.1.1.1
Vehicle Manager
Before you add a vehicle listing:Once you've downloaded the EZ Autos package and installed it and the various modules you'll be keen to start listing vehicles on your site. Before you can actually list a vehicle
though - you must get EZ Autos ready for these listings.
This means taking your time with configuring EZ Autos, setting up the data, installing the
various modules, and system plugin - AND making sure the essential addons are published
correctly.
If you don't setup your data areas - you'll find you can't create the vehicle listing
because you're missing essential data - or you'll find you can't save it because you're
missing profiles to assign the listing to ;-)
4.1.1.1.1 Overview of the vehicle manager screen
37
ID#:The ID number associated with the listing.
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select listings for
various functions. You can select individually by clicking a checkbox one at
a time, or you can bulk select by clicking the top checkbox that's beside
the "ID#" column heading.
Thumbnail image:The image thumbnail in the number 1 position.
Year/Make/Model:The year, make and model of the listing. You can click this link if you want to edit
a listing.
Vehicle Type:This is the category of the vehicle listing.
Transaction type:The method of managing the vehicle listing transaction - eg. whether it's for sale,
rent, auction, swap etc.
Listed price:This is the listed price of the item, and it also shows the currency sign.
Availability:This is the market status of the listing.
Hits:This number represents the number of page impressions the full details page has
38
EZ Autos 6x
had.
Published:This indicates whether or not the listing is published.
Premium:This indicates whether or not the listing is free or a premium listing. Free listings
are grey, premium listings are orange.
Featured:This indicates whether or not the listing has had featured status assigned to it.
Seller:This is the seller associated with the listing.
Date listed:This is the date the listing was created.
Last update:This is the date the listing was last updated.
Print:Click this link if you need to print out a quick copy of the listing.
Filter by selector lists:You can filter and narrow the vehicle listings by using these filter selector lists.
Publish button:If using this "publish" button, you must first select a single listing by
clicking the selector checkbox - or you can do a bulk publish by clicking
the top checkbox beside the "ID#" column title. Clicking this one will select
all items on the page for publishing.
Unpublish button: 2010 K.J. Strickland
39
The "unpublish" button works in the same way as the "publish" button.
Either select an individual listing by marking the checkbox then clicking the
"unpublish" button, or click the top selector box next to the "ID#" column
title to select all page items - then click the "unpublish" button to
unpublish all of the page items.
New button:To create a new listing, click the "New" button.
Edit button:This is the "Edit" listing button - simply select the item to be edited by
clicking the selector checkbox beside the ID#, and then click the "Edit"
button. Or - simply click on the year/make/model name - it's hyperlinked
and will take you to the "edit" page.
Copy button:Select the checkboxes of the listings you want to duplicate - and then
click the copy button. Copying a listing will ONLY copy data - it will not
store the same image details for use in the copied listing. The rationale
behind this is you may end up with listings that have no images if one of
the copies is deleted along with the images.
Delete:This is the delete listing button. Select the items you want to delete by checking
the little boxes on the list of the listings, and then click on the delete button.
Deleting a listing will also delete associated images and PDF files.
cPanel button:Clicking this button returns you to the main EZ Autos admin control panel.
4.1.1.1.2 Overview of the add/edit vehicle listing form
40
EZ Autos 6x
Summary:Year of manufacture:Select the vehicle year of manufacture from the list of available values. If the
year you want isn't available - go into the EZ Autos configuration area and update
the top and bottom values for the year list.
Registration number:This field is for the vehicle registration number if necessary.
VIN number: 2010 K.J. Strickland
41
This field is for the vehicle VIN number if necessary.
Category:This field is for the vehicle category.
Make:This field is for the vehicle make. It is a 2-level chained selector list - so
select the make first and then the model in the next field.
Model:This field is for the vehicle model. You must first select a vehicle make
from the previous list - then select the model.
Derivative:If you want to list the derivative of a make/model separately - you can use this
field.
Engine size:This field is for the vehicle engine size. Setup the engine size list via the EZ Autos
admin cPanel first though.
Exterior colour:This field is for the exterior colour of the vehicle, and if you need to alter
the names of the colours provided - edit the language file.
Interior colour:This field is for the interior colour of the vehicle, and if you need to alter
the names of the colours provided - edit the language file.
Fuel type:This field is for the fuel type of the vehicle, and if you need to alter the
names of the fuel types provided - edit the language file.
Doors:-
42
EZ Autos 6x
This field is for the number of doors a vehicle has.
Body type:This field is for the body type of the vehicle, and if you need to alter the
names of the types provided - edit the language file.
Odometer reading:This field is for the mileage of the vehicle, the selector list beside it is for
the unit of measurement. 3 units of measurement are provided - km, miles,
and hours - which should suit most types of listings using EZ Autos.
City fuel consumption:This field is for the fuel consumed by the vehicle under city driving
conditions.
Highway fuel consumption:This field is for the fuel consumed by the vehicle under highway driving
conditions.
CO2 emission:This field is for the CO2 emission levels for this particular vehicle.
Number of owners:The number of known owners for this vehicle.
First registered:The year and month the vehicle was first registered.
Next mechanical inspection:The year and month of the next mechanical inspection due if this particular
vehicle must comply with regular inspections for registration purposes.
Next emission inspection:The year and month of the next emission inspection due if this particular
vehicle must comply with regular inspections.
43
Click map for coordinates:As physical addresses aren't entered for vehicle listings - you need to
locate the decimal coordinates of the sale location by clicking on the
embedded map. Doing so will populate the decimal latitude and longitude
fields below the map.
Zip/Postcode location of vehicle:This field is required if you'll be using the zip/postcode radius search on your site.
Display location:Check this box if you want to display the location of your vehicle for sale
on a map.
Long Description:Full description:You can write a full description of your vehicle in this field.
Marketing Details:This section of data enables you to setup the pricing of the listing, its condition,
market status, on-road costs and associated pricing information such as whether
to display the price, messages to display in place of the price, short description
and features.
Marketing Resources:This section of data allows you to provide various details and resources to aid in
your marketing efforts - eg. a media file of some sort and a PDF document
containing vehicle information.
Financing:This section of data allows you to promote financing options that may be available
through your business.
44
EZ Autos 6x
Meta Tags:This section of data allows you to enhance the metatags in the page header, and
the 2 included here are the meta description and the meta keywords.
Admin:This section of data allows you to define the listing owner - ie. the seller profile
and ultimately the Joomla membership account that the listing is tied to. It's also
where you assign whether this is a free listing, premium listing or a featured listing.
Remember when creating a featured listing - it should also have premium status.
Various Reference and Tracking Numbers:-
This section of data allows you to assign various reference/tracking numbers used
to identify the listing on other property listing systems, or your own internal office
system records, the tax class of the particular vehicle if this is required in your
country, and the Redbook number.
Images:The images tab is where you manage the images for your listing. You're able to
upload up to 24 images - and the images tab allows you to include an image
description, delete multiple images, preview the full image in a new window - as
well as re-order the images.
If you choose to upload 24 images at one time - this WILL place a strain on your
server - specifically the memory required to process the image upload, thumbnail
creation and main image creation. You must also take into account the combined
size of the images when doing the upload, as many php setups have a default
upload maximum size of about 2M, and as processing 24 images can be timeconsuming - it can take longer than normal for the function to be executed.
Depending on your server setup - you may receive an error message telling you
there was insufficient memory.
If you receive this type of error - go to the EZ Autos configuration area - and look
on the images tab. There is a setting there to allow you to temporarily over-ride
the php.ini settings associated with memory. The over-ride will only happen during
the image upload process, and it may be necessary if you're using large images.
Other approaches to solving the problem include modifying the .htaccess file to
increase the following php settings, as they're all involved in whether large uploads
are successful or not:-
45
php_value post_max_size (eg. 130M)

php_value upload_max_filesize (eg. 130M)
php_value max_execution_time (eg. 500)
Alternatively - you could get your web hosting technical support people to modify
your php.ini file to change those settings.
4.1.1.1.3 Add/edit a vehicle listing
Adding a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Vehicle Manager" icon.
2. This will open the "Vehicle Manager" page, and once there - click on the "New" button
up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - fill in the vehicle details, taking care to add data to the
required fields. You will also have to assign a "listing owner", and this list is generated
from seller profiles listed in the profiling manager.
4. Click the "Save" button up in the top right hand corner of the page.
If you decide not to save the new record - simply click the "Cancel" button up in the top
right hand corner of the screen.
Editing a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Vehicle Manager" icon.
2. This will open the "Vehicle Manager" page, and once there - click on the hyperlinked
vehicle you want to edit - or click the checkbox next to the vehicle name you want to
edit and then click the "Edit" button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - update the details you want to change.
If you decide not to save the changes to the record - simply click the "Close" button up in
the top right hand corner of the screen.
4.1.1.1.4 Removing a vehicle listing
Deleting a single entry

1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Vehicle Manager" icon.
2. This will open the "Vehicle Manager" page.
3. Find the vehicle you want to delete, and select the checkbox to the left of the vehicle
ID#.
4. Click the delete button up in the top right hand corner of the screen.
Deleting multiple entries
46
EZ Autos 6x
3. Read through the list and decide on what items you want to delete.
4. Select the checkbox to the left of each vehicle ID# you want to delete.
Deleting all entries

3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the ID# heading. This will
auto-select all checkboxes for every vehicle on the page.
4. Click the delete button up in the top right hand corner of the screen and all checked
vehicle will be deleted.
4.1.1.1.5 Publishing/unpublishing a vehicle listing
Method 1 - publishing/unpublishing individual vehicle listings:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Vehicle Manager" icon, and this will
open the "Manage Vehicle Listings" page
2. Click on the "publish/unpublish" button graphic to the right of the page impressions/hits
column, or click the checkbox to the left of the vehicle name and then click on the
publish or unpublish button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
Method 2 - publishing/unpublishing multiple vehicle listings:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Vehicle Manager" icon, and this will
2. Review the listings and decide which ones you want to publish or unpublish, and then
click the checkbox to the left of the vehicle names - then click on the publish or
unpublish button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
Method 3 - publishing/unpublishing all vehicle listings on a page:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Vehicle Manager" icon, and this will
2. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar in-between the titles "ID#" and
"Make/Model". This will auto-select all checkboxes for every vehicle shown on the page
you are viewing.
3. Click the publish or unpublish button up in the top right hand corner of the screen
depending on whether you need to publish or unpublish the vehicle listings.
4.1.1.2
47
Categories
The "Category" manager is where you define the categories under which you list vehicles
for sale. This is your primary method of categorization. It's your choice - and you're only
limited by your imagination and vehicle listings. When defining your vehicle categories,
give it a name, include a short description, assign access rights, select its order and
decide on an image representative of the category. Images are optional. Once you've
finished entering in the category details, press the "save" button in the top left corner of
the screen. This will save the details to database, then you need to "publish" the
category before being able to use it elsewhere on the site. Once saved and published,
the categories you've created will appear in "drop-down" selection boxes on the "Add/Edit
Vehicle Details" page in the admin area and front-end member's listing area, show up on
the front-end as a category containing vehicle listings as well as on the search page as a
variable you can filter vehicles by.
4.1.1.2.1 Overview of the category manager screen
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select categories
for various functions. You can select individually by clicking a checkbox
one at a time, or you can bulk select by clicking the top checkbox that's
beside the "Category" column heading.
Category name column:This is the "Category" name column - all EZ Autos vehicle categories have
their names displayed here. You're able to click on the category names in
order to edit them, as these are hyperlinked names.
Publish/unpublish icon status:The "publish/unpublish" indicator button displays a red X when the item is
unpublished, and a small page icon with green tick when the item is
published. You're able to click on these icons to change the publishing
48
EZ Autos 6x
status. Click the red X and the item will change its status to "published",
while if you click the page icon with green tick you'll change the status to
"unpublished".
Access level indicator:Categories can be assigned access privileges based on the Mambo/Joomla
core access levels of "Public", "Registered" and "Special". A category
assigned "Public" access privileges will permit the general site visitor to
access and view category contents, while a category assigned
"Registered" access privileges will only permit registered site members who
are logged in access. Special access privileges restricts access to site
administrators.
For general site use - categories should be assigned "Public" access
privileges.
Ordering:You can choose the display order of vehicle categories simply by clicking
the up and down arrows.
Publish category button:If using this "publish" category button, you must first select a single
category name by clicking the selector checkbox - or you can do a bulk
publish by clicking the top checkbox beside the "Category" column title.
Clicking this one will select all items on the page for publishing.
Unpublish category button:The "unpublish" button works in the same way as the "publish" button.
Either select an individual category by marking the checkbox then clicking
the "unpublish" button, or click the top selector box next to the "category"
column title to select all page items - then click the "unpublish" button to
New category button:To create a new vehicle category, click the "New" button.
Edit category button:This is the "Edit" category button - simply select the category to be edited
by clicking the selector checkbox beside the category name, and then click
the "Edit" button. Or - simply click on the category name - it's hyperlinked
and will take you to the "edit" page.
Delete
category
49
button:-
The "Delete" button will allow you to delete categories that have been
selected by clicking on the selector checkbox. You can delete categories
individually or you can delete multiple categories at the one time.
cPanel button:Clicking this button returns you to the main EZ Autos control panel.
4.1.1.2.2 Overview of the add/edit category screen
This page opens when you add or edit vehicle categories, and it has a number of fields to
be filled out, as well as an image.
Save button:When you create a new category or make changes to an existing category
- clicking on the "Save" button will save the changes to the database, and
return you to the main category listing page.
Cancel button:Should you decide not to continue creating a new category, or if you
decide not to keep the changes you made to a category - click the
"Cancel" button. Don't simply use the browser's back button - exit out of
this screen correctly by using the "Cancel" button.
When editing a category, that category is "checked out" so others cannot
edit it at the same time. Then when you "save" or "cancel" an action - the
item is checked back in, and it's once again available for editing by others.
50
EZ Autos 6x
Category
name:-
This is where the vehicle category name goes. For example, you may have
categories called:- economy cars, family cars, people-movers, 4WD's or
4x4's etc.
Category description:You can enter a category description here, which will give site visitors an
idea as to the types of vehicles you have listed within this category.
Access level:In general - most categories should be defined as having a "public" access
level, although you can assign different access levels.
Ordering:This allows you to specify the ordering of the vehicle categories.
Drop-down image selector:You're able to assign an image to be displayed alongside the category
names and descriptions. Category images are stored in the Mambo/Joomla
images/stories directory, and you can upload them via FTP or more
conveniently - using the Mambo/Joomla media manager.
Category image preview:When a category image is selected, this is where the image preview will be
displayed.
4.1.1.2.3 Add/edit category
Adding a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Categories" icon.
2. This will open the "Property Category Manager" page, and once there - click on the
"New" button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - fill in the category name, write a short description if you
want, assign any access privileges you may need, choose an image representative of
the category if desired, and select where in the order the entry should appear.
51
Editing a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Categories" icon.
2. This will open the "Property Category Manager" page, and once there - click on the
hyperlinked category name you want to edit - or click the checkbox next to the
category name you want to edit and then click the "Edit" button up in the top right
hand corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - update the category name, short description if you
want, change any access privileges you may need, choose a new image representative
of the category if desired, and select where in the order the entry should appear.
4.1.1.2.4 Removing a category

1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Categories" icon.
2. This will open the "Property Category Manager" page.
3. Find the category you want to delete, and select the checkbox to the left of the
category name.

4. Select the checkbox to the left of each category you want to delete.

3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the title "Category". This
will auto-select all checkboxes for every category listed on the page output.
4. Click the delete button up in the top right hand corner of the screen and all categories
will be deleted.
52
EZ Autos 6x
4.1.1.2.5 Re-ordering the categories
Method 1 - ordering via the manager screen:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Categories" icon.
2. This will open the "Property Category Manager" page, and once there - click on the blue
"up" or "down" button graphic on the row of the entry you want to move. These
graphics are in the right hand column.
Method 2 - ordering via the add/edit entry screen:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Categories" icon.
2. This will open the "Property Category Manager" page, and once there - click on the item
name to open up the next screen, or select the checkbox next to the item name and
then click on the "Edit" button in the top right hand corner of the screen.
3. Once the add/edit screen opens up - use the ordering select list to position the item
where you want it to be in relation to the other records.
4.1.1.2.6 Publishing/unpublishing categories
Method 1 - publishing/unpublishing individual categories:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Categories" icon, and this
will open the "Property Category Manager" page
2. Once the "Property Category Manager" page opens, - click on the "publish/unpublish"
button graphic to the right of the category name, or click the checkbox to the left of
the category name and then click on the publish or unpublish button up in the top right
Method 2 - publishing/unpublishing multiple categories:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Categories" icon, and this
will open the "Property Category Manager" page
2. Once the "Property Category Manager" page opens, - review the categories and decide
which ones you want to publish or unpublish, and then click the checkbox to the left of
the category names - then click on the publish or unpublish button up in the top right
Method 3 - publishing/unpublishing all categories:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Categories" icon.
3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the title "Category". This
will auto-select all checkboxes for every category shown on the page output.
53
depending on whether you need to publish or unpublish the categories.

4.1.1.3
Makes
The "Makes" manager is where you define the names of vehicle makes used in listings.
Once created and published, these will then appear in the "drop-down" selection box on
the "Add/Edit Vehicle Details" page and in the front-end on the search page as a variable
you can filter vehicles by. This is just to save you repetitive entry if running your own
listings. Site members can also be permitted to add vehicle makes via the frontend, and
this is configured via the EZ Autos configuration area.
4.1.1.3.1 Overview of the make manager screen
Publish make button:If using this "publish" make button, you must first select a single make
name by clicking the selector checkbox - or you can do a bulk publish by
clicking the top checkbox beside the "make" column title. Clicking this one
will select all items on the page for publishing.
Unpublish make button:The "unpublish" button works in the same way as the "publish" button.
Either select an individual make by marking the checkbox then clicking the
"unpublish" button, or click the top selector box next to the "make" column
New make button:To create a new make, click the "New" button
54
EZ Autos 6x
Edit make button:This is the "Edit" make button - simply select the make to be edited by
clicking the selector checkbox beside the make name, and then click the
"Edit" button. Or - simply click on the make name - it's hyperlinked and will
take you to the "edit" page.
Delete make button:The "Delete" button will allow you to delete makes that have been selected
by clicking on the selector checkbox. You can delete makes individually or
you can delete multiple makes at the one time.
Return to cPanel button:Clicking this will return you to the EZ Autos cPanel.
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select makes for
the "make" column heading.
Make names:This is the list of makes contained in the EZ Autos makes table. Click on
the make name, and that will also open up the add/edit make screen.
"unpublished".
4.1.1.3.2 Overview of the add/edit make screen
55
Name of vehicle make:This is where you enter the make name.

Select logo:You're able to display a logo for vehicle makes if using the make/model
frontend site structure, and this selector list allows you to select a logo
from the Mambo/Joomla images/stories directory.
Logo preview:Once you select a logo - this is where you will see an image preview of it.
Save button:Press the save button to save a new entry or apply changes when
updating an entry.
Close/Cancel button:Press the cancel button to exit the screen.
4.1.1.3.3 Add/edit make
Adding a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Makes" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage vehicle make search/select list" page, and once there - click
on the "New" button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - fill in the vehicle make and select a logo if desired.
Editing a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Makes" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage vehicle make search/select list" page, and once there - click
on the "Edit" button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - update the make name and/or logo image.
56
EZ Autos 6x

4.1.1.3.4 Removing a make

1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Makes" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage vehicle make search/select list" page.
3. Find the make you want to delete, and select the checkbox to the left of the make
name.

4. Select the checkbox to the left of each vehicle make you want to delete.

3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the title "Vehicle Make".
This will auto-select all checkboxes for every make listed on the page output.
4.1.1.3.5 Publishing/unpublishing makes
Method 1 - publishing/unpublishing individual makes:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Makes" icon.
3. Click on the "publish/unpublish" button graphic to the right of the make name, or click
the checkbox to the left of the make name and then click on the publish or unpublish
button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
Method 2 - publishing/unpublishing multiple makes:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Makes" icon.
3. Review the makes and decide which ones you want to publish or unpublish, and then
click the checkbox to the left of the make names - then click on the publish or
57
Method 3 - publishing/unpublishing all makes:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Makes" icon.
This will auto-select all checkboxes for every make shown on the page output.
depending on whether you need to publish or unpublish the makes shown on the page.
4.1.1.4
Models
The "Vehicle Models" manager is where you define the names of models used in vehicle
listings. Once created and published, these will also appear in the "drop-down" selection
box on the "Add/Edit Vehicle Details" page in the admin area and the front-end member's
area, as well as in the front-end on the search page as a variable you can filter vehicles
by. Vehicle models are "chained" to makes, so that when you select a vehicle make - the
model selector list will be populated with only those models associated with the selected
make.
4.1.1.4.1 Overview of the models manager screen
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select models for
58
EZ Autos 6x
the "Vehicle Make" name column heading.
Vehicle Make
This column contains the vehicle make that the model is associated with.
Vehicle Model name column:This is the "Model" name column - all models used by EZ Autos have their
names displayed here. You're able to click on the model names in order to
edit them, as these are hyperlinked names.
"unpublished".
Publish button:If using this "publish" button, you must first select a single model name by
the top checkbox beside the "Vehicle Make" column title. Clicking this one
Unpublish button:The "unpublish" button works in the same way as the "publish" button.
Either select an individual model by marking the checkbox then clicking the
"unpublish" button, or click the top selector box next to the "make" column
New model button:To create a new model, click the "New" button.
Edit model button:This is the "Edit" model button - simply select the model to be edited by
clicking the selector checkbox beside the make name, and then click the
"Edit" button. Or - simply click on the model name - it's hyperlinked and will
59
Delete model button:The "Delete" button will allow you to delete models that have been
selected by clicking on the selector checkbox. You can delete models
individually or you can delete multiple ones at the one time.
Filter by make selector list:This selector list will allow you to identify models for a specific make. When you've
finished working on the models for a specific make, select "All Makes" and it will
return a list of all models.
Order by selector list:This selector list will allow you to re-order the models based on a number of
different parameters. This selector list does not re-order the entries in the
database - it's purely a means to re-order the entries for admin area page-viewing
purposes.
4.1.1.4.2 Overview of the add/edit model screen
Select Make:As models are chained to makes, the first thing to do when creating a model is to
select which vehicle make it will be chained to.
Name of vehicle model:Enter the name of the vehicle model in this field.
60
EZ Autos 6x
4.1.1.4.3 Add/edit model
Adding a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Models" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage vehicle model search/select list" page, and once there click on the "New" button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - first select a vehicle make associated with the model,
and then fill in the name of the model.
Editing a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Models" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage vehicle model search/select list" page, and once there click on the hyperlinked model you want to edit - or click the checkbox next to the
make/model name you want to edit and then click the "Edit" button up in the top right
3. When the next screen opens - update the assigned make or change the model name.
4.1.1.4.4 Removing a model

1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Models" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage vehicle model search/select list" page.
3. Find the model you want to delete, and select the checkbox to the left of it.

4. Select the checkbox to the left of each model you want to delete.
61

This will auto-select all checkboxes for every model listed on the page output.
4.1.1.4.5 Publishing/unpublishing models
Method 1 - publishing/unpublishing individual models:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Models" icon.
3. Click on the "publish/unpublish" button graphic to the right of the model name, or click
the checkbox to the left of the model name and then click on the publish or unpublish
Method 2 - publishing/unpublishing multiple models:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Models" icon.
3. Review the models and decide which ones you want to publish or unpublish, and then
click the checkbox to the left of the model names - then click on the publish or
Method 3 - publishing/unpublishing all models:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Vehicle Models" icon.
This will auto-select all checkboxes for every model shown on the page output.
depending on whether you need to publish or unpublish the models.
4.1.1.5
Engine size
This is where you're able to define engine sizes used in vehicle listings. Once created and
published, they will appear in the "drop-down" selection box on the "Add/Edit Vehicle
Details" page of the admin area and front-end member's area, and in the front-end on the
search page as a variable you can filter vehicles by.
62
EZ Autos 6x
4.1.1.5.1 Overview of the engine size manager screen
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select engine sizes
for various functions. You can select individually by clicking a checkbox
one at a time, or you can bulk select by clicking the top checkbox that's
beside the "Engine Size" name column heading.
Engine Size name column:This is the "Engine Size" name column - all engine sizes used by EZ Autos
have their names displayed here. You're able to click on the engine size
names in order to edit them, as these are hyperlinked names.
"unpublished".
Ordering:You can choose the display order of engine sizes simply by clicking the up
and down arrows.
Publish button:If using this "publish" button, you must first select a single engine size by
the top checkbox beside the "Engine Size" column title. Clicking this one
Either select an individual engine size name by marking the checkbox then
clicking the "unpublish" button, or click the top selector box next to the
"engine sizes" column title to select all page items - then click the
"unpublish" button to unpublish all of the page items.
New engine size button:To create a new engine size, click the "New" button.
Edit engine size button:This is the "Edit" engine size button - simply select the engine size to be
edited by clicking the selector checkbox beside the engine size name, and
then click the "Edit" button. Or - simply click on the engine size name - it's
hyperlinked and will take you to the "edit" page.
Delete engine size button:The "Delete" button will allow you to delete engine sizes that have been
selected by clicking on the selector checkbox. You can delete engine sizes
63
64
EZ Autos 6x
4.1.1.5.2 Overview of the add/edit engine size screen
Name of engine size:This is where you enter the name of the engine size - for example 1600cc etc - or
whatever is an appropriate expression of engine sizes for your part of the world.
Ordering:This selector list will allow you to assign where in the order the engine size will appear.
4.1.1.5.3 Add/edit engine size
Adding a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Engine Size List" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage engine size search/select list" page, and once there - click
3. When the next screen opens - fill in the engine size, and select where in the order the
entry should appear.
Editing a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Engine Size List" icon.
on the hyperlinked engine size you want to edit - or click the checkbox next to the
country name you want to edit and then click the "Edit" button up in the top right hand
corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - update the engine size, and select where in the order
the entry should appear.
65
4.1.1.5.4 Removing an engine size

1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Engine Size List" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage engine size search/select list" page.
3. Find the engine size you want to delete, and select the checkbox to the left of the
engine size name.

4. Select the checkbox to the left of each engine size name you want to delete.

3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the title "Engine Size".
This will auto-select all checkboxes for every engine size listed on the page output.
4.1.1.5.5 Re-ordering the engine sizes
Method 1 - ordering via the manager screen:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Engine Size List" icon.
on the blue "up" or "down" button graphic on the row of the entry you want to move.
These graphics are in the right hand column.
Method 2 - ordering via the add/edit entry screen:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Engine Size List" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage engine size search/select list" page, and once there - select
the item to edit.
66
EZ Autos 6x
4.1.1.5.6 Publishing/unpublishing engine sizes
Method 1 - publishing/unpublishing individual countries:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Engine Size List" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage engine size search/select list" page
3. Click on the "publish/unpublish" button graphic to the right of the engine size, or click
the checkbox to the left of the engine size name and then click on the publish or
Method 2 - publishing/unpublishing multiple countries:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Engine Size List" icon.
3. Review the engine sizes and decide which ones you want to publish or unpublish, and
then click the checkbox to the left of the engine size names - then click on the publish
or unpublish button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
Method 3 - publishing/unpublishing all countries:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Engine Size List" icon.
3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the title "Engine Size".
This will auto-select all checkboxes for every engine size shown on the page output.
depending on whether you need to publish or unpublish the engine sizes.
4.1.1.6
Price increments
The "Manage Search Filter Price Increment" area is where you create the incremental list
of prices you want to make available when people filter vehicles using the search module
or main search filter page. While vehicle details may have a specific value defined, the
price range gives your visitors a means to search for vehicles within a certain upper and
lower price range. The increment between the values depends on how precise you want
the search filter to be.
This page gives you an overview of what price increments you've set, and it allows you to
perform a range of functions such as publish/unpublish, add, edit, delete and reorder.
The other thing to remember is the database values are subject to an input mask of 0.00
- so you may want to create a list as follows:50000.00
100000.00
150000.00
200000.00
250000.00
300000.00
350000.00
67
400000.00
This list uses increments of 50000, but the increment used really depends on the range of
vehicle prices you list. You will also notice there are 2 values displayed for each
increment - the filter value and the display value. This allows you to specify a peoplefriendly value in the search filter while still retaining the correct database format for
vehicle searches.
Your database value MUST be of relevance to the display value - for example:5000.00 represents the database value for 5 thousand with 2 decimal places. This could
be represented in a people-friendly format as 5,000
4.1.1.6.1 Overview of the price increment manager screen
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select price
increments for various functions. You can select individually by clicking a
checkbox one at a time, or you can bulk select by clicking the top
checkbox that's beside the "price increment" column heading.
Price increment column:This is the "price increment" column - all price increments used by EZ
Autos have their values displayed here. You're able to click on the price
increment values in order to edit them, as these are hyperlinked names.
68
EZ Autos 6x
Display value column:This is the "price increment display value" which allows you to have people-friendly
display values for the price increments used by the search filter.
"unpublished".
Ordering:You can choose the display order of price increments simply by clicking the
up and down arrows.
Publish button:If using this "publish" button, you must first select a single price increment
by clicking the selector checkbox - or you can do a bulk publish by clicking
the top checkbox beside the "price increment" column title. Clicking this
one will select all items on the page for publishing.
Either select an individual price increment by marking the checkbox then
clicking the "unpublish" button, or click the top selector box next to the
"price increment" column title to select all page items - then click the
"unpublish" button to unpublish all of the page items.
New price increment button:To create a new price increment, click the "New" button.
Edit price increment button:This is the "Edit" price increment button - simply select the price increment
to be edited by clicking the selector checkbox beside the price increment,
and then click the "Edit" button. Or - simply click on the price increment it's hyperlinked and will take you to the "edit" page.
69
Delete price increment button:The "Delete" button will allow you to delete the price increment that have
been selected by clicking on the selector checkbox. You can delete price
increments individually or you can delete multiple ones at the one time.
4.1.1.6.2 Overview of the add/edit price increment screen
Price increment:This is the database value field, and it has a database mask applied to it to ensure the
data is in a consistent format that is searchable by the search system. When
entering the price increment - there must be NO commas, and it has 2 decimal places.
Display Value:This is where you can enter a people-friendly value for the price increment. Such a
field allows you to add commas where desired - and no decimal values to clutter up
the selector lists.
Ordering:This selector list will allow you to assign where in the order the price increment will
appear.
4.1.1.6.3 Add/edit price list increment
Adding a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Price List" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage Search Filter Price Increment" page, and once there - click
3. When the next screen opens - fill in the base price increment, the display value and
70
EZ Autos 6x
select where in the order the entry should appear.

Editing a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Price List" icon.
on the hyperlinked price increment you want to edit - or click the checkbox next to the
price increment you want to edit and then click the "Edit" button up in the top right
3. When the next screen opens - update the base price increment, the display value and
select where in the order the entry should appear.
4.1.1.6.4 Removing a price list increment

1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Price List" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage Search Filter Price Increment" page.
3. Find the price increment you want to delete, and select the checkbox to the left of the
price increment.

4. Select the checkbox to the left of each price increment you want to delete.

3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the title "Search Filter
Price Increment". This will auto-select all checkboxes for every price increment listed
71
on the page output.

4.1.1.6.5 Re-ordering price list increments
Method 1 - ordering via the manager screen:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Price List" icon.
on the blue "up" or "down" button graphic on the row of the entry you want to move.
These graphics are in the right hand column.
Method 2 - ordering via the add/edit entry screen:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Price List" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage Search Filter Price Increment" page, and once there - select
the item to edit.
4.1.1.6.6 Publishing/unpublishing price increments
Method 1 - publishing/unpublishing individual price increments:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Price List" icon, and this will
open the "Manage Search Filter Price Increment" page
2. Once the "Manage Search Filter Price Increment" page opens, - click on the "publish/
unpublish" button graphic to the right of the price increment, or click the checkbox to
the left of the price increment and then click on the publish or unpublish button up in
the top right hand corner of your screen.
Method 2 - publishing/unpublishing multiple price increments:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Manage Price List" icon, and this will
open the "Manage Search Filter Price Increment" page
2. Once the "Manage Search Filter Price Increment" page opens, - review the price
increments and decide which ones you want to publish or unpublish, and then click the
checkbox to the left of the price increments - then click on the publish or unpublish
Method 3 - publishing/unpublishing all price increments:-
72
EZ Autos 6x
3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the title "Search Filter
Price Increment". This will auto-select all checkboxes for every price increment shown
on the page output.
depending on whether you need to publish or unpublish the price increments.
4.1.1.7
Profile manager
The profiling system has been created with a number of aims in mind. Firstly - it's the
means for your sellers to provide a range of information necessary for potential buyers to
contact them about vehicles for sale, it's a way for those sellers to promote themselves
to potential buyers, and it forms the basis of a seller privileges system.
Various aspects of the profiling system are configured via the EZ Autos configuration
area, and it's important to test out the system early on during site development - so you
can establish optimal settings early on.
The profiling system does NOT take the place of the Mambo/Joomla membership manager
and it does not interfere with this system - and that's an important initial concept to
understand. If you are going to allow registered site members to list vehicles for sale on
your site - then the very first thing you must do is configure your Mambo/Joomla system
to allow people to register accounts on your site - and you MUST publish the core
membership/login module. Without this - people will not be able to register and create a
core membership account.
Once a person has registered a core membership account, they are then required to
create their seller profile prior to being able to create any vehicle listings. They do this
via the frontend cPanel - so you must also have a main menu link leading into EZ Autos along with either the top EZ Autos menu links visible, or the EZ Autos menu module
published. Both of these sets of links have links into the members area where site
members can create their seller profile and vehicle listings.
73
4.1.1.7.1 Overview of the profile manager screen
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select profiles for
the "ID#" column heading.
ID#:The ID number associated with the seller profiles relates to their core Mambo/
Joomla membership ID number.
Profile Image:If sellers choose to upload a profile image/avatar, you'll see a thumbnail image of it
in this column. Sites with a large number of members can be very slow to load this
area - so you can turn off displaying the profile image here by editing the EZ Autos
configuration area.
Dealer/Seller Name:Sellers are able to specify the name they'd like displayed to site visitors.
Number of Listings:-
74
EZ Autos 6x
Sites with a large number of members and vehicle listings can be very slow to load
this area due to the database queries run to calculate how many listings each
profile has listed. To avoid this slowdown to your site - turn off the display of
listing numbers over in the EZ Autos configuration area.
Company:Sellers are able to specify a company name to display to site visitors - particularly
if they're a dealer associated with a particular company.
Email address:All seller profiles must have an email address specified, as this is used for contact
purposes by site visitors.
Listings Report:The listings report button allows you to send out a list of current vehicle listings
for a particular seller profile.
"unpublished".
Delete Link:This link allows you to delete a particular profile. You are only able to delete
profiles that have no listings though.
Publish profile button:If using this "publish" profile button, you must first select a single profile
name by clicking the selector checkbox - or you can do a bulk publish by
clicking the top checkbox beside the "ID#" column title. Clicking this one
Unpublish profile button:The "unpublish" button works in the same way as the "publish" button.
Either select an individual profile by marking the checkbox then clicking the
"unpublish" button, or click the top selector box next to the "ID#" column
New profile button:To create a new profile, click the "New" button.
Edit profile button:This is the "Edit" profile button - simply select the profile to be edited by
clicking the selector checkbox beside the ID#, and then click the "Edit"
button. Or - simply click on the profile name - it's hyperlinked and will take
you to the "edit" page.
4.1.1.7.2 Overview of the add/edit seller profile screen
Summary:Link to Existing Member:-
75
76
EZ Autos 6x
Profiles must be linked to an existing core Mambo/Joomla membership account, and

this selector list allows you to choose a member. You are only allowed to create
one profile per member, so if you accidentally try to create a second profile for an
account - you will receive an error during the save process.
Dealer/Seller Name:This field is where the member can add a name they wish to be known by on their
seller profile and their vehicle listings.
Seller Type:There are currently 2 seller types available to choose from when creating a profile
- a dealer and a private seller.
Company:Dealers and others are able to include their company name in their profile if they
wish to.
Flat/Unit/Apartment Number:This field is where the flat/unit/apartment number of the seller's address goes. It
is not used by the mapping system to calculate the decimal coordinates of the
seller's location.
Street #:This field is where the street number of the seller's address goes if a street number
is appropriate. It is used by the mapping system to calculate decimal coordinates
for the seller's location.
Street Name:The street name field is part of the seller's address data, and it's used when
calculating the decimal coordinates of the seller's location.
Locality:Locality is a generic term for city, town, suburb, village - whatever. It's part of
the seller's address data and is used when calculating the decimal coordinates of
the seller's location.
Zip/Postcode:-
77
The zip/postcode field is another element of the seller's address, however not all
part of the world use a zip/postcode system for the location of addresses - but it
is available if needed.
State:State is a term used to denote the internal boundaries of a country that form
different regional areas. Some countries call these internal regional areas
provinces, so depending on your part of the world - you may wish to rename this
field by editing the EZ Autos language file.
Country:The country is the final element of a seller's address.
Enter own decimal coordinates manually:If the automatic calculation of coordinates produces incorrect map locations - use
the decimal coordinates finder.
Decimal Latitude:The decimal latitude value of an address is calculated automatically during the
save process, and the value is based on the address variables entered into the
profile. The more address details entered - the more accurate the decimal
coordinates.
Decimal Longitude:The decimal longitude value of an address is calculated automatically during the
save process, and the value is based on the address variables entered into the
profile. The more address details entered - the more accurate the decimal
coordinates.
Display address:This setting allows the seller to define whether or not they want their location to
be plotted onto a map on their profile page - and whether they want their address
to be displayed. Not everyone will want to display their address, but dealers
associated with a car sales business will probably want to show their address to
enable people to physically visit the business.
Dealership identifyer:This field can be used if you need to link your seller profile to an external listings
system for the purpose of importing or exporting listings.
78
EZ Autos 6x
Contact:-
Email:All sellers require an email address that site visitors can contact them on in relation
to advertised vehicles. Email addresses are not visible on the frontend of the site
or even embedded into forms as hidden form fields. They are extracted from the
database during the send email process to protect the privacy of these email
addresses.
Phone:There are two parts to the seller telephone number - the area code prefix and the
number.
Fax:There are two parts to the seller fax number - the area code prefix and the
number.
Mobile #:There are two parts to the seller mobile phone number - the network code prefix
and the number.
International Mobile #:The "international mobile phone number" is used by the SMS contact form, and a
persons international mobile phone number format is based on their normal mobile
telephone number. It begins with the country code, then the network prefix with
the leading 0 left off and finally the mobile phone number. For example - the
country code of Australia is 61, my mobile phone number network prefix is 0429
which means I'd use 429 and finally my mobile phone number is a 6-digit number eg. 123456 for the purposes of this discussion. Putting these together - the
international mobile phone number would then look as follows:- 62429123456
Allow SMS contact:If you do not wish to receive SMS messages from site visitors about your listings
etc. - remember to select this checkbox. If you leave the international mobile
number field blank - people won't be able to send you SMS messages regardless of
79
the value of this field.
Web Site URL:Sellers are able to list their web site URL in this field.
Blog Site URL:If sellers have a blog site, they're able to include their blog site URL in this field.
Skype Username:Sellers are able to enter their Skype username in this field if they'd like to accept
contact from site visitors via this method.
Yahoo Username:Sellers are able to enter their Yahoo username in this field if they'd like to accept
ICQ Username:Sellers are able to enter their ICQ username in this field if they'd like to accept
Promotional:-
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn is a professional networking site, and EZ Autos allows you to add your
LinkedIn profile link so potential buyers can find out a bit more about you.
Personal Introduction:The personal introduction is a short 255 character paragraph which is used on
seller search results page, the page listing various sellers, and the featured seller
module. This field is a good opportunity to attract site visitors to look more closely
at your profile and subsequently your various listings for sale.
Profile Image: 2010 K.J. Strickland
80
EZ Autos 6x
Let potential buyers know who they're dealing with by adding a profile image. If
you're camera-shy - use a quality avatar instead. You can configure maximum
height and width of the profile image in the EZ Autos configuration area, and
profile images that exceed these dimensions will be resized during the upload
process.
Dealership Logo:The dealership logo isn't currently used in EZ Autos, but it will be integrated into
some new template layouts in the future. This is intended to be a smaller version
of the page topper - or something along similar lines, and in the EZ Realty system
it's currently used on one of the listings page template layouts. Site visitors are
then able to see vehicle details as well as key seller details all on the listings page.
Page Topper:Page toppers are graphics that can be uploaded for display across the top of the
seller's profile page and the page that displays all of their vehicle listings. You can
configure the maximum image width and height via the EZ Autos configuration
area, and when setting these values - you MUST take into account the width of
your site template and the available width across the page above the seller's
profile and vehicle listings. If you set the image width too big - images will be too
big and will distort the page layout - so run some tests when setting up your site
so you get the dimensions right for your site. Page topper images are resized
during the image upload process so they don't exceed the maximum dimensions set
by you.
Promotional PDF File:If you've got a promotional PDF file about your business - you're able to upload it
as part of your profile so that site visitors can download it. The upload function is
configured to allow the upload of pdf, doc and xml files.
Professional Bio:Sellers can write a professional bio about their skills and experience etc, which may
help potential buyers decide whether they'd like to purchase a vehicle from them.
The professional bio field appears beneath the tabbed pages, so you're able to
always see it when working on the profile details.
Privileges:-
Payment
81
exemption:-
If running your site in one of the two paid listings modes (ie. free/paid upgrades or
paid listings only) - you can assign a payment exemption privilege to profiles. This
will allow the seller to add listings without the need to pay for them. You can use
this for sellers such as dealers - and pair it with invoicing them externally to the EZ
Autos system on a monthly basis. Such an arrangement will allow you to collect
regular payments whilst providing larger dealers with a way to list all the vehicles
they want for a single monthly price. Listings created via the payment exemption
process will be assigned premium status.
Featured listings upgrade:Assigning this profile privilege will allow the seller to change their listings to
featured listing status without the need to pay additional fees.
Publishing privileges:Assigning publishing privileges will allow the seller to publish/unpublish their own
listings as required, even if you have the site configured to hold listings for admin
approval. Publishing privileges are something you should only give to trusted
members.
Expiry reset privileges:This setting allows your seller to reset the expiry date of their listings if you're
running your site with expiry management set to use the time-based method.
Members with this privilege will be able to reset the expiry date of listings that
expire.
Approve Profile:This is an admin setting for you to approve/unpublish a seller profile. When a
profile is not yet approved - those profile details are not accessible via the sites
frontend. This is to ensure no inappropriate material is inserted into the profile
details. You can configure you site to auto-approve profiles, and this is done via
the EZ Autos configuration area.
4.1.1.7.3 Add/edit profile
Creating a profile via the admin interface:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Profile Manager" icon.
82
EZ Autos 6x
2. This will open the "Manage Dealer/Seller Profiles" page, and once there - click on the
"New" button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
3. When the next screen opens - you will see there are 4 tabbed pages, as well as a text
editor area beneath these. Select a member account from the drop-down list, assign a
seller type, then fill in the rest of the details. Remember there are some "required"
fields that must be filled in, there are also the 2 decimal coordinates fields that will be
auto-calculated during the save process (based on address variables), and there are
optional fields that can be left blank.
4.1.1.7.4 Removing a profile

1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Profile Manager" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage Dealer/Seller Profiles" page.
3. Find the profile you want to delete, and select the checkbox to the left of the profile
ID#.

4. Select the checkbox to the left of each profile ID# you want to delete.

3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the ID# heading. This will
auto-select all checkboxes for every profile on the page.
profiles will be deleted.
4.1.1.7.5 Publishing/unpublishing profiles
Method 1 - publishing/unpublishing individual profiles:-
83
3. Click on the "publish/unpublish" button graphic on the line of the profile name name, or
click the checkbox to the left of the profile's ID# and then click on the publish or
Method 2 - publishing/unpublishing multiple profiles:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Profile Manager" icon.
3. Review the profiles and decide which ones you want to publish or unpublish, and then
click the checkbox to the left of the ID# associated with the profile - then click on the
publish or unpublish button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
Method 3 - publishing/unpublishing all profiles:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Profile Manager" icon.
3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the ID# title. This will
auto-select all checkboxes for every profile on the page.
depending on whether you need to publish or unpublish the profiles.
4.1.1.8
VIP Buyers register

The VIP Buyers Register was previously called the "Leads Manager", and it's where you
can record the vehicle requirements of prospective buyers, and visitors to your web site
can also submit their details via a front-end form.
This area works in conjunction with the "Send VIP Buyer Email Notifications" button in the
EZ Autos admin area cPanel.
4.1.1.8.1 Overview of the buyers register screen
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select categories
84
EZ Autos 6x
for various functions. You can select individually by clicking a checkbox one
at a time, or you can bulk select by clicking the top checkbox that's beside
the "Category" column heading.
Name:This column contains the name provided by the person registering on the VIP
Buyer's Register.
Email:This column contains the email address provided by the person registering on the
VIP Buyer's Register, and it's the email address that will be used when notifications
are sent out. You are able to click on the email link to send an email directly to
the VIP Buyer, and it will open your default email programme.
Mobile Phone #:A mobile phone number is an optional field, however you may find use for it if you
ever need to contact one of your VIP Buyers about a new listing.
Vehicle Category:This column shows the vehicle category requested by the VIP Buyer.
Make:This column shows the vehicle make requested by the VIP Buyer.
Model:This column shows the vehicle model requested by the VIP Buyer.
Budget:This column shows the purchase budget that this VIP Buyer has available.
Add/Review Date:-
Filter by (Type, Make, Model):You are able to filter and narrow the VIP Buyer's listed based on the category
(type), make and model vehicle attributes.
New button:To create a new entry for a VIP Buyer manually, click the "New" button.
Edit button:This is the "Edit" VIP Buyer button - simply select the entry to be edited by
clicking the selector checkbox beside the buyer name, and then click the
"Edit" button. Or - simply click on the buyer name - it's hyperlinked and will
Delete button:The "Delete" button will allow you to delete the VIP Buyers that have been
selected by clicking on the selector checkbox. You can delete entries
4.1.1.8.2 Overview of the add/edit buyers register screen
85
86
EZ Autos 6x
4.1.1.8.3 Add/edit prospective buyer
Adding a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "VIP Buyers Register" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage Buyers Register" page.
3. Click on the "New" button up in the top right hand corner of your screen.
4. When the next screen opens - fill in details of the interested buyer and details of the
type of vehicle they're interested in buying - as well as their purchase budget.
Editing a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "VIP Buyers Register" icon.
3. Click on the hyperlinked name you want to edit - or click the checkbox next to the
name you want to edit and then click the "Edit" button up in the top right hand corner
of your screen.
4. When the next screen opens - update the VIP Buyer details and/or vehicle details.
87
4.1.1.8.4 Removing a prospective buyer

1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "VIP Buyers Register" icon.
3. Find the VIP Buyer name you want to delete, and select the checkbox to the left of the
name.

4. Select the checkbox to the left of each VIP Buyer you want to delete.

3. Select the checkbox in the column headings title bar next to the title "Name". This will
auto-select all checkboxes for every VIP Buyer on the current page.
VIP Buyers listed on the current page will be deleted.
4.1.1.9
Static content manager

The static content manager is where you edit content that doesn't change in EZ Autos eg. the opening page welcome, the terms of listing on your site, the transaction
successful or transaction canceled messages etc.
Static content items are created during the installation process - or when you upgrade
your site from an older version that didn't use this. You're only able to edit the items - as
they're coded into specific areas of EZ Autos. You're not able to create new items, as
that is what the core Mambo/Joomla content manager is for.
88
EZ Autos 6x
4.1.1.9.1 Overview of the static content manager screen
Selector checkbox:This column contains the checkboxes that allow you to select a static
content item for editing.
Content item name column:This is the "Content Item" name column - all static content used by EZ
Autos is listed here. You're able to click on the content item names in order
to edit them, as these are hyperlinked names.
Edit button:This is the "Edit" content item button - simply select the content item to
be edited by clicking the selector checkbox beside the item name, and
then click the "Edit" button. Or - simply click on the content item name it's hyperlinked and will take you to the "edit" page.
89
4.1.1.9.2 Overview of the edit static content screen
Save button:When you make changes to a static content item - clicking on the "Save"
button will save the changes to the database, and return you to the main
static content listing page.
Close button:Should you decide not to continue with the changes you made to the
static content - click the "Close" button. Don't simply use the browser's
back button - exit out of this screen correctly by using the "Close" button.
When editing a static content item, that item is "checked out" so others
cannot edit it at the same time. Then when you "save" or "close" an action
- the item is checked back in, and it's once again available for editing by
others.
Static content description:You can enter the information here.

4.1.1.9.3 Editing the static content
Editing a record:1. Starting from the EZ Autos admin cPanel, click the "Static Content" icon.
2. This will open the "Manage Static Content" page, and once there - click on the
hyperlinked content item name, or click the checkbox to the left of the content item
name and then click the "Edit" button up in the top right-hand corner of the page.
3. When the next screen opens - edit the content to include what you want presented to
90
EZ Autos 6x
your front-end visitors and members.

4.1.1.9.4 Masking static content output
Removing content from page output

The static content items are hard-coded into the component output, so if you don't want
certain content to be displayed - eg. you don't want a "business introduction" - then just
delete the content in the text editor area and click the save button. While the value will
still be called by the component - nothing will be displayed, and this will have the same
visual effect.
4.1.1.10 Configuration settings
The "Configuration Settings" manager is where you set a number of vehicles that
influence how the admin area and front-end works, as well as how certain things display.
Most problems people encounter with perceived site malfunction are due to incorrectly
configuring the system for their site needs. So, configuring how EZ Autos works is not an
activity to be rushed. Take your time to read through each explanation for each setting
thoroughly - as this is not an activity to be rushed.
4.1.1.10.1 Overview of the Configuration Settings
Your Business Settings

91
BusinessName
The name of your real estate business shown on the component header and elsewhere,
eg. the print page and email pages.
Business Address
Your business address. This appears in the header of the print page so prospective buyers
have a record of you.
Contact telephone
Your contact telephone number shown on the arrange viewing form and the print page.
Email address
Email address to use with the vehicle inspection and mailing list request forms.
Thumbnailing & Image Sizes

Thumbnail creator
Choose image processor for thumbnail creation. EZ Autos has 2 image processors available
- GD and GD2. If your server doesn't have these available - select none. The majority of
servers have GD2 available, as it's the default image processor that comes with PHP.
Thumbnail max width

Width of the vehicle image thumbnails created which will then be used on the front-end.
This influences the width of thumbnails on the full details page, the various listings pages
and in the modules.
Thumbnail Quality
Quality of the thumbnails created. This must be expressed as a percentage. This setting
will also affect the quality of the main image once it's uploaded and resized, and this is to
allow you to achieve smaller image file sizes. Often - a thumbnail quality of 60% will be
sufficient.
Image Directory
The default image directory is called 'ezautos', and it's located in the components/
com_ezautos/ezautos path. Thumbnails are stored in a directory within this one, called th.
92
EZ Autos 6x
If you change your directory name, you'll need to create a new directory_name/th
directory path manually. You MUST NOT change the name of the th directory. The other
really important thing is you MUST move the placeholder images into these new
directories.
Category Thumbnail Width

Width of images if using category images.
Main Image Width

Width of main vehicle image when viewed on the full vehicle details page output. It's
expressed in pixels to assist fitting the image within your template. Images will be resized
to this width via the browser where appropriate.
Main Image height

Height of main vehicle image when viewed on the vehicle details page output. It's
expressed in pixels to assist fitting the image within your template. Images will be resized
to this height via the browser where appropriate. Some templates use this setting to
define the image size - particularly the slideshow templates and the javascript rollover
template images.
Image upload width

Images are resized during the upload process, so this setting will determine what the
maximum width of the main image will be in pixels. A good size is no larger than 700
pixels. Remember - the larger the image size specified here - the bigger the memory
required to process the images during upload.
Image upload height

Images are resized during the upload process, so this setting will determine what the
maximum height of the main image will be in pixels. A good size is no larger than 700
pixels. Remember - the larger the image size specified here - the bigger the memory
required to process the images during upload.
Use image watermarks

Do you want to use watermarking on your images. Watermarks currently include a sold
graphic for sold listings, and a WOW graphic for featured listings.
Image system
There are a number of systems available for special effects with images - and their files
93
are called into the system plugin. Sometimes they conflict with templates or other addons
which will cause their special effects to break. Choose which is right for you or turn them
off completely. As a matter of interest - the slimbox image system uses the mootools
files, and this system now tends to have the fewest interactions with other special
effects features in templates - so if you're wanting the popup images with the darkened
background - try the slimbox image system first.
***One important thing to keep in mind - if you turn off the special effects image
system - you will need to use the javascript popup images or plain thumbnails in
your modules, and select one of the javascript image slideshows for your full
details page template layout.
Your Video Settings

Embed Media Files
You can allow externally hosted FLV files to be embedded in the page output, allow URL's
to virtual tours that will show as hyperlinks that open in a new page, or you can allow
embedded media code such as that used by Youtube and Seyret.
Display Width
The display width of embedded media files. The width you define will depend on its
position in the template, and your template width. You only have control over FLV files
embedded using the built-in FLV player. You DO NOT have control over the size of
embedded media code such as Youtube or Seyret.
Display Height
The display height of embedded media files. The height you define will depend on its
position in the template, and your template dimensions. You only have control over FLV
files embedded using the built-in FLV player. You DO NOT have control over the size of
embedded media code such as Youtube or Seyret.
PHP.INI Memory Over-ride Settings

Over-ride php.ini memory
Some servers run out of memory when uploading and resizing/thumbnailing images, so you
can over-ride the php.ini memory settings temporarily during the image upload process.
Temporary memory size

This setting allows you to specify how much memory in megabytes to temporarily allocate.
94
EZ Autos 6x
If you are receiving memory errors when saving vehicle listings - start with 20 and
gradually increase until the error is resolved. ***USE NUMBERS ONLY***
Manage your site's profile settings

Show Profile
If running in 'Display Mode' - do you want to display member profile details on the full
details page of the listing? If setting this to 'NO' this will also turn off all access to frontend profiles, although people who create listings will still be required to create a profile.
Auto-approve Profile
Do you want member profiles to be automatically approved when they're created?
Profile Access
Specify who should be able to view details of a seller's profile. REMEMBER - you MUST
NOT restrict access above registered member level - otherwise people will not be able to
contact the seller. For the majority of sites - public access should work well.
Profile image width

Maximum allowed width of the profile image. Keep in mind that this is the width that will
be displayed on the front-end profile page. Images that exceed this width will be rejected
during the upload process.
Profile image height

Maximum allowed height of the profile image. keep in mind that this is the height that will
be displayed on the front-end profile page. Images that exceed this height will be rejected
during the upload process.
Logo Width
Maximum allowed width of the logo image associated with a seller. Keep in mind that this
is the width that will be displayed on the front-end profile page and vehicle listings pages.
Images that exceed this width will be resized during the upload process. A good width is
160 pixels.
Logo Height
Maximum allowed height of the logo image associated with a seller. Keep in mind that this
is the width that will be displayed on the front-end profile page and vehicle listings pages.
95
Images that exceed this height will be resized during the upload process. A good height is
30 pixels.
Max Page topper width

Maximum allowed width of the page topper associated with a seller. This graphic is used
on the page that displays all of a seller's vehicle listings as well as across the top of their
profile page. Keep in mind that this width is the width that will be displayed on the
frontend, and images that exceed this width will be resized during the upload process.
Max Page topper height

Maximum allowed height of the page topper associated with a seller. This graphic is used
on the page that displays all of a seller's vehicle listings as well as across the top of their
profile page. Keep in mind that this height is the height that will be displayed on the
frontend, and images that exceed this height will be resized during the upload process.
Your Clickatell Details

Enable SMS
Do you want to display the SMS contact link/form to enable SMS messaging via the site's
front-end? If Clickatell doesn't service your part of the world - set this to NO.
Mobile phone #
This will be used for the SMS contact form if you don't allow site members to list, or if you
also list vehicles. It MUST be in the international number format:- Country Code, Network
prefix without the leading '0' and Number - no spaces, only numerals. If you DON'T want
to use SMS contacts for your own listings - leave these details blank.
Username
This must be your Clickatell Central API account username.
Password
This must be your Clickatell Central API account password
HTTP API ID#

This must be your Clickatell Central API account HTTP API ID#. Create your API ID# via
your Clickatell control panel.
96
EZ Autos 6x
Mapping
Settings
Use Mapping
Do you want to display a map of where the dealer/seller and their vehicle is located?
Map API
You MUST apply for a Mapping service API number for your site, then add it here if using
the mapping. You can apply for an API number here:- http://code.google.com/apis/maps/
index.html
Map Width
The width of the map on your site's front-end expressed in pixels.
Map Height
The height of the map on your site's front-end expressed in pixels.
Map resolution
The map resolution determines the zoom level of the maps used on EZ Autos. The smaller
the number - the closer the view, and the bigger the number - the further away the view.
Map Overlay
The default map type view. You can select from normal street map style, satellite style
and hybrid style.
Find starter coordinates for maps

Clicking the embedded map to generate the decimal latitude and longitude for the opening
position of maps when necessary. Use the map controls to zoom in and out, and a single
mouse click will populate the latitude and longitude fields with the coordinates.
Decimal latitude
The starter latitude of the popup map when it first opens. This setting does not affect
the vehicle or profile maps because they use their own coordinates.
Decimal longitude
97
The starter longitude of the popup map when it first opens. This setting does not affect
the vehicle or profile maps because they use their own coordinates.
Define your various Expiration Management settings

Use Expiration Management
Do you want to use the expiration management system. This allows you to limit how long
listings are displayed for based time in days - eg. 30 for 30 days.
Time in Days
'Time-based' expiration management requires a number of days, so specify how many days
listings should be displayed for.
Grace Period
If using 'Time-based' listings, specify a grace period in days. This is the amount of time
between when a listing is discontinued, and when it can be cleaned from the database.
During this period, listings can be renewed.
Shortlist Expiry Time

How many days should shortlisted items remain in the database. After this they can be
pruned using the prune function. If you have a large active site with many listings and
members - this table can accumulate a lot of listings - so you may need to re-examine
the expiry time on a regular basis to ensure the database isn't getting over-loaded.
Formatting - ie. setting up the front-end layout of your site

Listings Structure
This setting determines the opening page of EZ Autos - and there are 3 layouts to choose
from. The first is the standard category layout, the second is a list of vehicle makes
which then lead into associated vehicle models, and the third is a multi-layout page
consisting of quick search functions, some featured listings and your vehicle categories.
Front-end Template
Select the layout you want for the front-end. This currently influences the look of the full
vehicle details page.
98
EZ Autos 6x
Imagelayout/system
You can configure the image layout and system you want to use, which makes your full
details page templates more configurable for your site template width.
Listings Page Template

There are a number of different layouts available for the listings pages - ie. category
contents, new listings, search results, featured listings, model contents pages.
Column count
How many columns do you want the first category listing page layout to have?
Column width
How wide are the columns on the first category listing page? For example, if you have 1
column, the width should be 100%, if you have 2 columns the width should be 50%, and if
you have 3 columns the width should be 33%. You MUST include the percent sign.
Text box width

The width of the larger text boxes in the front-end add/edit vehicle details form. This
width helps to reduce template distortion.
Text area width

The width of the text areas in the front-end add/edit vehicle details form. This width
helps to reduce template distortion.
Vehicles per Page

Number of vehicles to show per page on the front-end.
Special vehicle listing pages

Number of vehicles to list on the 'New Listings', 'Open House Listings', 'Properties Wanted'
and 'RSS feed' page.
Default page order

This is the general ordering of vehicles on the frontend pages.
99
N e wRSS Listings Feed Name

What would you like to call your new RSS listings feed? This name is displayed at the top
of the RSS feed.
Use shortlist
This setting allows you to define whether or not to use the shortlisting system on the
frontend.
Data Types for Listings

Vehicle Specifications
This will enable/disable all fields associated with a vehicle's technical specifications on the
add/edit form.
Vehicle Features
This will enable/disable all fields associated with vehicle features in the multiple selector
list.
Finance Section
This will enable/disable all fields associated with finance availability for a vehicle listing in
the add/edit form.
Meta Tags
This will enable/disable all fields associated with meta tags
Select which choices to use in the Vehicle Condition select list

There are 7 different options in the vehicle condition selector list, and you're able to
select which ones to use - as not all types are necessarily required by all sites.
Select which choices to use in the Listing Type select list

You can select whether or not to use the listing type list when creating your vehicle
listings, and you can select which items to use in this dropdown selector list. Not all sites
will need to use this data list, and not all sites will need to use all listing types in this list.
100
EZ Autos 6x
It just depends on the business model of your site and the types of listings you have.
Select which choices to use in the Rental/Lease Frequency List

If you do use the rental or lease options in the listing type select list above - then you
may want to use the rental/lease frequency list as well - to enable an alternative pricing
display more suitable for these types of listings.
Manage your search filter settings

Use Category select list
Do you want to use the vehicle categories list in the main search filter?
Use Make/Model select list

Do you want to use the drop-down make/model selector lists on the main search filter?
Use engine size select list

Do you want to use the engine size select list on the search form?
Use Transmission select list

Do you want to use the drop-down transmission selector list on the main search filter?
Use Fuel select list

Do you want to use the drop-down fuel-type selector list on the main search filter?
Use Vehicle Condition select list

Do you want to use the drop-down vehicle condition selector list on the main search
filter?
Use colour select list

Do you want to use the colour selector list on the search form?
101
Use door number select list

Do you want to use the door number selector list on the search form?
Use body type select list

Do you want to use the body type selector list on the search form?
Use Zip/PostCode
Do you want to use the zip/postcode variable on the search filters to allow identification
of listings in a particular area? If you only list your own vehicles, this wouldn't be relevant
so set it to 'no'.
Unit of Measure
Define the unit of measure you want to use for the zip/post code search radius
Use min/max year select list

Do you want to use the year of manufacture selector list on the search form?
Minimum year
Specify the minimum year to show on the minimum year search select list. This MUST be a
4-digit value - eg. 1970
Maximum year
Specify the maximum year to show on the maximum year search select list. This MUST be
a 4-digit value - eg. 2008
Use maximum mileage field

Do you want to use the maximum mileage search field?
Use keyword field

Do you want to use the keyword search field?
Manage the Top EZ Autos Menu Links
102
EZ Autos 6x
Recommend
Vehicle
Do you want to allow visitors to use the "recommend vehicle to friend" feature?
Vehicle enquiry link

Do you want to show the "enquire about this vehicle" email link?
RSS Feed
Would you like to show an RSS feed link of your latest vehicle listings?
Buyer Leads - ie. VIP Buyer's system

Would you like to allow visitors to register their vehicle requirements with you?
Show EZ Autos Menu

Do you want to display the top menu in EZ Autos
Show new listings link

Do you want to display the new listings link in the top menu
Show featured listings link

Do you want to display the featured listings link in the top menu
Show search filter link

Do you want to show the link to the main search filter?
Define the basics of how your site will operate

Primary Mode of Operation
You can run EZ Autos in one of two ways - to list cars for sale, or as a library display for
club sites wanting to allow members to show off their cars.
Define the notifications that you want
103
ListingsNotification
Would you like to be notified of new and updated listings?
Get notified of new VIP buyers

If you are using the VIP Buyer's system (formerly called the Leads Manager), do you want
to be notified via email of new VIP buyers who register for email alerts of your listings?
Realtime Vip Notifications

Do you want to use realtime VIP notifications? This will run a query each time a listing is
saved to search for VIP buyers that match the listing specifications saved, and it will then
send an email to those people. ***SPECIAL NOTE*** If you have a lot of VIP Buyers
registered - this could slow down your site significantly!! The alternative is to turn this
setting off and to use the 'Send VIP Buyer Email Notifications' button in the admin area
periodically during low traffic times on your site.
Profile Notification
Do you want to be notified of new and updated seller profiles?
Define the Admin area Filters and other things to use

VIN number filter
Do you want to use the VIN number filter on the admin area listings manager. If you have
a lot of listings - you may want to turn this off.
Registration number filter

Do you want to use the registration number filter on the admin area listings manager. If
you have a lot of listings - you may want to turn this off.
Vehicle Make filter

Do you want to use the vehicle make filter on the admin area listings manager. If you
have a lot of listings - you may want to turn this off.
Vehicle Model filter

Do you want to use the vehicle model filter on the admin area listings manager. If you
have a lot of listings - you may want to turn this off.
104
EZ Autos 6x
Listingsmanagement thumbnails
Do you want to show thumbnails on the admin area listings managers. If you have a lot of
listings - you may want to turn this off to save page-loading time.
Use profile manager listings count

Do you want to use the listings count on the admin area profile listings page? On sites
with lots of listings and members - using this may may make opening of the profile
manager very slow.
Cross-component Integration Links

ccNewsletter Integration
Do you want to save newsletter requests directly to the ccNewsletter subscriber
database table?
Private Messaging Integration

EZ Autos will support integration with the uddeIM private messaging system - so buyers
can easily contact sellers via this internal messaging system on your site. You need to
enable this setting if you'd like to use private messaging, have uddeIM installed on your
site and EZ Autos will detect its presence.
jReviews Integration
If you use the jReviews commenting system, you can enable EZ Autos to tap into this
system so that people can comment on listings.
Widgets & Plugins

Social Bookmarking
If you have uploaded the social bookmarking plugin to the plugins directory, do you want
to show the social bookmarking icons at the start of your full vehicle details page and
profile details page? You can download the plugin from the support site downloads area.
Manage Front-end Property Listings by Registered Members

Member Listings
105
Would you like to allow registered site members to list vehicles for sale via the front-end
listings panel?
Approval Process
Do new and updated listings require admin approval before publishing?
Number of listings
How many FREE listings can members have?
Free Listing Images

If you have free and paid listings for your members, do you want free listings to be able to
show an image? If you select 'NO' just a placeholder will be displayed, which may
encourage more paid listings. If you select 'YES' - free listings will only be able to have
one image. This will not affect listings if you're ONLY running in free listings mode members can have 12 images when run in this mode.
Front-end Additions
Do you want to allow site members access to add new makes or models themselves.
When allowing this - these makes and models will be automatically published to allow
access when creating the front-end listing.
Change Listing Images

Do you want to allow site members the ability to change the images in a listing once
they've been uploaded? Setting this to 'no' will prevent changes to the images only. Some
members may find this inconvenient if they don't like their initial image order.
Currency settings for Listings

Currency Sign
The currency sign to show before or after the vehicle price.
Currency Position
The position of the currency sign - ie. before or after the vehicle price.
Currency Format
106
EZ Autos 6x
The currency format of vehicle prices.
Manage Currency settings for Members Area payment Information

Currency Sign
The currency sign to show before or after the vehicle price.
Currency Code
This must be the 3-letter PayPal currency code for your PRIMARY PayPal currency - not
one your make up. If you're unsure of these currency codes, refer to PayPal to be sure of
what to use.
Currency Format
The currency format of vehicle prices.
Your PayPal Settings for Offering Paid Listings

Paid Listings
Do you want to offer paid listings on your site? Paid listings allow members to include
additional images and information in their listing.
Payment Choices
If offering paid listings - do you want to offer FREE listings with the option to upgrade OR ONLY paid listings.
Select your payment system

EZ Autos version 6x has a new payment plugin system, and comes with a PayPal payment
plugin as standard.
Standard Upgrade Cost

The cost of upgrading a free listing to a "premium" listing.
Featured Listing Upgrade Cost
107
The cost of purchasing/upgrading a listing to "featured" status
4.1.2
Maintenance Tools
The maintenance tools are press-button functions concerned with "housekeeping"
activities to keep your site squeaky clean. They're designed to perform queries on the
various EZ Autos tables - or to clean them of old unneeded data that may be taking up
room.
4.1.2.1
Synch new members with profiles

Pressing the "Synch new members with profiles" button connects to a function that copies
member details from the core Mambo/Joomla users table into the EZ Autos profiles table.
It only copies the details of members who don't already have a profile created, and it only
copies their name and email address.
If you just want to leave it to your site members to create their own profiles - there is no
need to use this function - it's just there in case you want to use it.
If you've got a busy site though - with time you'll have members coming and going - and
you'll probably have need to delete member accounts from the core Joomla user manager.
When this happens - you could be left with the situation where you'll have profiles that no
longer have a core user account - and there may also be vehicle listings associated with
these profiles. Because these profiles and listings no longer have a core user account they're "orphans" and should be cleaned from the system - so the synch button will also
clean out these unattached listings and associated image files and marketing materials.
The outcome will be all remaining vehicle listings should have a core Joomla user account
and EZ Autos profile.
108
4.1.2.2
EZ Autos 6x
Clean listings
Once a listing has expired and is no longer needed - you want an easy way to get
rid of them, and the clean listings button is an easy and quick way to do this. If
you have expiry management turned on - you have 2 ways to manage listings based on page impressions or based on time. If running based on impressions,
once listings reach the predefined limit - they'll be cleaned out when the clean
listings button is pressed. If running the site based on time-based listings, only
expired listings that have passed the "grace period" will be cleaned out.
4.1.2.3
Prune shortlist
The shortlist is where members save details of their favorite listings that they want to
review at a later date. With time, this database table can accumulate a significant
number of records. As part of the EZ Autos configuration process - you were able to
specify a "Shortlist expiry time" in days - and this setting was on the "Expiration tab".
Pressing the "Prune shortlist" button will clean the shortlist of database entries that have
been there longer than the time specified in the configuration area.
4.1.2.4
Manage orphan uploads
EZ Autos has always had a heavy use of image uploads for vehicle listings, and early
versions were not always efficient in the deletion of these images once a vehicle listing
was deleted. A lot of work has gone into writing new functions to delete images and
other file uploads when a vehicle listing is deleted or cleaned from the system, as well as
when a profile is deleted or cleaned from the system. However, it is also necessary to
have a way to identify and enable the deletion of orphan file uploads that have been left
on the server from the early days.
109
The orphan file manager has 4 management areas - the main vehicle image directory,
thumbnail directory, PDF uploads directory and the profiles directory.
You can review the files in each of these areas, and files that do not have an associated
vehicle or profile listing in the database will have a delete link visible - which will enable
you to delete the file from your server without having to go looking for it.
The main vehicle orphan image manager will also delete the associated thumbnail.
4.1.2.5
Send Listing Expired Email Alert

When pressed - the function triggered by this button will send an email alerting
members who have vehicle listings that have expired. These expired listings must
still fall within the "grace period" - which is the timeframe after expiry when a
listing can still be renewed.
Limits on this function:- only usable when the site is run in time-based expiration
management.
4.1.2.6
Send VIP Buyer Notifications

When pressed - the function triggered by this button will send an email to site
visitors who have registered on your VIP Buyers Register if there is a vehicle in the
database matching their stated requirements.
The VIP Buyer notifications system works on the assumption that people have
searched the database and have already seen available vehicles. So part of the
VIP Buyer notifications function is to add a checkmail value to the database for
each vehicle listing that has been processed - so people listed on the leads
system don't receive multiple notifications for the same vehicle listing. Once a
checkmail value has been added to a vehicle listing - it won't be processed by the
VIP Buyers notifications system again.
4.1.2.7
Send Listings Report to Sellers

Depending on the site you're running - you may want to send out reports to your site
members. Pressing this button will run a series of database queries to send out HTML
formatted emails to members with seller profiles. The email will contain a list of vehicles
the member has listed on your site, and a bit of information about those listings.
4.1.2.8
Optimize tables
EZ Autos has a number of tables, and these are used frequently due to the nature
of a vehicle listing site. Tables that get a lot of use build up overhead over time,
and this can slow down the system. You can press the "optimize tables" button
and this will clean out the overhead and improve speed.
110
4.1.2.9
EZ Autos 6x
Upgrade database
Version 5.2.0 is a medium-large upgrade, and there are new tables and a lot of
new fields. You'll have to press the upgrade database button if you've upgraded in order to create the new tables and fields that you need.
4.1.3
Tabbed Extras
4.1.3.1
The Checks tab
The "Checks" tab is designed to pick up and report common oversights to users
before those oversights lead to problems with site functionality. Part of the
checks process is to run a number of database queries to review what you've got
installed on your site, the data you've got inserted into various tables and to
report that visually to the user. The other part of the process is to look for the
presence of certain files and settings used by other components - so that you can
be alerted if you've mistakenly enabled certain features without the necessary
components to support those features.
It's hoped users will find this to be a helpful mechanism when installing and
configuring their site.
4.1.3.2
Imports
The "Imports" tab contains a an upload function that allows you to upload zip/postcodes
to the database for use by the zip/postcode radius search function.
Things to remember: 2010 K.J. Strickland
111
1. make sure you have the following columns of data in this exact order:- id, postcode,
city, state, county, latitude, longitude.
2. It is not necessary to have data in every column - BUT - you must have data in the
postcode, latitude and longitude columns. The others can be left empty.
3. make sure you do not have any column titles in the first row of data.
4. Use a CSV comma delimited file
You'll find various zip/postcode packages available for download from the support site
downloads manager. If your country's zip/postcodes aren't there - do a google search, as
you'll often find them available for download free somewhere on the web.
You're also able to import vehicle makes and models via the imports tab, and these CSV
files are available from the support site downloads area. As the occasional server has
problems importing the data - there are also SQL file formats available and you can import
the data directly via phpMyAdmin.
4.2
The Frontend public areas
4.2.1
Home page
EZ Autos comes with the choice of 3 home page layouts - the first shown below is the
Make/Model layout structure. The opening page displays the published vehicle makes,
along with a logo for each make if you've chosen to use images - and when you click on a
make - the next page that opens is the list of available vehicle models associated with
that vehicle make, and when you click on the model name - a list of vehicle for sale will
then be shown.
**NOTE** Vehicle make logos are not included in the EZ Autos package. They are
only shown for display purposes to demonstrate the available features. You can
source these logos by searching the web.
The standard category layout is the second opening page option available, and you can
choose to display it in a multi-column output such as displayed below - or you can display
it in a single column with an associated image and category description.
112
EZ Autos 6x
The multi-layout is the third opening page format available, and it consists of 2 small
search forms targeted at new and used vehicle listings, a random output of featured
vehicles, and a list of your vehicle categories. The combination page layout makes for an
interesting starter page - and can be modified if you have the skill should you prefer to
add something additional.
113
Above each - you'll see the top set of EZ Autos menu links - and these lead you to
various areas on the frontend of EZ Autos. Below - you'll see the RSS feed link/icon.
These are all configurable via the EZ Autos configuration area should you wish to turn
some of these off. You will want to give the RSS feed a new name, as it currently has a
placeholder name of New EZ Autos Listings.
4.2.2
Listings pages
EZ Autos has a number of frontend listings page - eg. new listings, featured listings etc.
You'll notice the items listed on some of the listing page template layouts have different
coloured backgrounds. In this case - the pink listings are featured listings while the white
listings are normal listings. Featured listings also have a "WOW" watermark - unless
they're sold, in which case they'll have a "sold" graphic. You're able to change the
colours used by standard listings and featured listings by editing the style sheet used by
EZ Autos.
4.2.3
Find a Dealer/Seller
The "find a dealer/seller" page is where site visitors can look through a list of all site
members who've created a seller profile, or they can use the quick search form at the end
of the page to find a dealer/seller based on locality and seller type. Each profile listed on
these pages links through to the profile details page - and from there - site visitors can
progress through to review a particular sellers listings.
114
4.2.4
EZ Autos 6x
View Profile page

The view profile page is accessed in one of three ways - via the link on a vehicle listings
full details page, via the "find a dealer/seller" listing page, or via the dealer/seller search
results page. Your profile page contains a graphic header (page topper) if you uploaded
one, an image of you (or an avatar) if you uploaded one, a graphic link to marketing
material, your LinkedIn link if it has been included, personal/professional details such as
address, contact details, web site details, a link to your listings and a map of your
location depending on how much detail you provided when creating the profile. Other
information such as Yahoo, Skype and ICQ contact details are available if these have
been provided - as well as promotional material to download if that has been included.
4.2.5
VIP Buyers Register

The VIP Buyer's Register page on the frontend is where your site visitors can leave details
of vehicles they're interested in buying. It's a means for you to collect interested buyer
data - in case people cannot find a particular vehicle they're wanting at the time they
visit your site.
This information is stored in the database, and you can manage it via the admin area VIP
Buyers Register - and send out emails of matching vehicle requirements via the press of a
button.
As you're collecting potential buyer data and sending out emails - you may need to
comply with antispamming laws - which in some countries require that an unsubscribe
facility be available. The VIP Buyer's Register has an unsubscribe function accessible via
the frontend EZ Autos menu links, and the link is also included in emails that are sent out.
People simply need to insert the email address they're receiving the VIP notifications to and they should be successfully deleted from the database.
4.3
The EZ Autos Frontend user area

If you'll be allowing registered site members to list vehicles for sale on your site - this
section provides an overview of the frontend members area.
4.3.1
115
The Frontend EZ Panel
This is what the frontend EZ Panel looks like, and it's where your site members manage
their profile, shortlist and vehicle listings. At the top you'll see the secondary top menu
system, with links to the main listings area, the EZ Panel link and the Terms of Listing link.
Below these links is where the members area introduction goes - it's managed via the EZ
Autos admin cPanel if you click on the static content manager button. Other information
displayed in association with the members introduction depends on what your site settings
are - eg. how many free listings can be created, the cost of paid listings, how long listings
will be displayed for.
The next section shows 3 icons - the first leads to the members profile manager, and
that's where they define a range of information variables - depending on how much
information they want to share. The middle icon leads to a persons shortlist manager however this icon will not necessarily be displayed, as it depends on whether you're using
the shortlisting feature on your site. The 3rd icon is the Email Listings feature. This
116
EZ Autos 6x
The following section contains the make and model selector lists, and that's there to allow
site members to check for the presence of these values before adding their listing
information There is a link beneath each selector list, so members are able to add a new
vehicle make or model if they need to. This section will not always be visible though - it
just depends on whether your site is configured to allow these frontend additions.
The next section of information contains your vehicle listings, and the type of icons
displayed depends on how your listings are configured - and whether you are assigning
profile privileges to various members.
Finally - the add new listings button will be displayed if you're running your site in free
listings mode, free with paid upgrades mode, or if a member has privileges to bypass the
paid listings system.
4.3.2
Manage profile settings
4.3.3
Manage shortlist area
117
118
4.3.4
EZ Autos 6x
Overview of the add/edit screen
Part
120
EZ Autos 6x
Overview and use of Autos Map
Autos Map is a "companion component" of EZ Autos, and its sole function is to display the
EZ Autos listings on a single Google map - so it's not designed to work with any other
component.
Installation:Install Autos Map via the Joomla extensions installer, and remember to also install and
publish the AutosMap System Plugin as well. You can read more detail on how to do a
new or upgrade installation by referring to the installations and upgrades section in the
Help manual.
Configuration:Mapping API Number

You MUST apply for a Mapping service API number for your site, then add it here if using
the mapping. You can apply for a free API number here:- http://code.google.com/apis/
maps/signup.html
Map View
Select the default map overlay type you want to use. There are 3 different types to
choose from, so test them out and see which one suits your area and your preferences.
Map Width
The width of the map on your site's front-end expressed in pixels.
Overview and use of Autos Map
121
M a pHeight
The height of the map on your site's front-end expressed in pixels.
Use Sidebar
If you want to display the motor vehicles in a sidebar beside the map, select this option.
They will be hyperlinked, and when clicked - an information window with image and the
option for driving directions will popup on the map where the motor vehicle is located.
The sidebar uses div tags with scrollbars, so vehicles listed in association with the map
output will not extend past the bottom of the map.
Sidebar Width
This is the width of the sidebar expressed in pixels. When deciding on the width of the
map and sidebar - you must take into account the space you have available in your
templates main content area.
The Embedded Map

Clicking on this map in the Autos Map configuration area will automatically insert the
decimal latitude and decimal longitude into the fields below the map. These fields are
used to center the map on the frontend of your site when it first opens. Use the map
tools to zoom in or out, click once and hold the left mouse button to drag the map, and
click once and release to generate the decimal coordinates.
Decimal Latitude
The starter latitude of the map when it first opens. This setting does not affect the
vehicle or profile maps because they use their own coordinates - it only affects the
starting position of Autos Map.
Decimal Longitude
The starter longitude of the map when it first opens. This setting does not affect the
vehicle or profile maps because they use their own coordinates - it only affects the
starting position of Autos map.
Mapping Resolution
The map resolution determines the zoom level of the map used by Autos Map. The smaller
the number - the closer the view, and the bigger the number - the further away the view.
122
EZ Autos 6x
Numberof Listings
If you have a lot of vehicle listings - you may find there are too many for the map, so you
may need to limit the number shown. If you want to display all of the vehicles - just set
the value at 0
Part
VI
124
EZ Autos 6x
Over and use of Auto Adverts
Auto Adverts is a "companion component" of EZ Autos, and its sole function is to allow
you to create advertisements of EZ Autos listings for use on sites such as Craigs List, or
to create print advertisements - so it's not designed to work with any other component.
When you first install Auto Advertise and go into it - you will see a list of vehicles you've
created on the EZ Autos system - provided you've created some listings at this stage. If
you have - then you can begin to explore what's available. On the opening page - you
can filter these listings based on their published status - and you can click on the year/
make/model title to generate an advertisement.
Part
VII
126
EZ Autos 6x
Overview and use of EZ Feeds
Using EZ Feeds:EZ Feeds is a component that allows you to manage feeds to export your EZ Autos and
EZ Realty listings, and it has been created to provide better flexibility for those who like
to export their listings - as the old method of including the feeds in the EZ Autos and EZ
Realty code was restrictive.
So, how does EZ Feeds work? It's designed to allow you to create listings of your feed
files - upload new feed files - and to access the URL's to the feed output relatively easily.
First up - install EZ Feeds as you would any other component - and then work through
the following steps:Follow the Joomla admin menu link into EZ Feeds
Click on the "Categories" tab
Create at least one category for your feeds and publish it
Click on the "Feeds" tab and then click on the "New" listing icon in the top right corner
of the page.
Select a category, create a title and alias for the feed, give it a small description if
desired, select the feed file from the list of available feeds and publish it. Then click the
save button up in the top right corner of the page.
Your first feed should now have been created - so it's now time to setup access to the
feed.
Follow the Joomla admin "Menus" -> "Main Menu" link
Click on the "New" menu item button in the top right corner of the page, and when the
next page opens - select EZ Feeds from the list of available components.
Decide the type of menu you want - a link to display all available categories - or a link
Overview and use of EZ Feeds
127
to display the contents of a single feed category - and then click on whichever one you
decide and create the menu item.
Go into the front end of your site and follow the menu links until you reach your list of
feeds, and click on the feed you created earlier. If all goes well - it will open up in a new
browser window and you'll see the feed data. Use the URL from this open browser to
submit your feed to the relevant property listing site.
Part
VIII
Overview and use of available modules
8.1
Dealer/seller search module
129
The dealer/seller search module is a quick search for dealers/sellers based on seller type
and based on locality.
Package:- mod_ezautos_dealersearch_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
Install using the Mambo universal installer or the Joomla module installer.
2. Configuration:Configure the various module parameters by clicking on the "Modules" -> "Site Modules"
link in the admin area, then open up the module and edit the various parameters.
3. Display position:This depends on the modules you have available on your Mambo/Joomla template - so
spend a bit of time looking at your template's index.php code to see where the module
positions are or refer to any documentation that came with the template.
130
EZ Autos 6x
4. Menu item
Select what pages you want the module to be displayed on by selecting menu items from
the Pages/Items list on the right of the screen. You can only display a module in
association with a menu item - this means you cannot display it on select pages of a
component. When assigned to display on a link leading to a component - the module will
display on all pages of that component.
5. Translation:The dealer/seller search module comes with its own language files, and these are located
in the modules/mod_ezautos_dealersearch directory if using Mambo or Joomla 1.0, or the
modules/mod_ezautos_dealersearch/mod_ezautos_dealersearch directory if using Joomla
1.5.
Once you've reviewed all of the settings and configured them the way you want - click
the save button.
8.2
Featured vehicle module
The single featured vehicle listing module will allow you to display a randomly selected
featured vehicle listing in a module position.
131
Package:- mod_ezautos_featured_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
3. Display orientation:The single featured vehicle listing module doesn't really have a display orientation, as
there is only a single listing displayed. You are able to define the alignment of the image
displayed though - so it can be configured to appear on the left or right.
4. Image display options:You have 3 image display options - plain image display, image with javascript popup
image, or the slimbox image popup system. The system you choose really depends on
your site needs - remember - the fancier the system the more resources it chews up, and
the slower your site will take to load. The single featured property listing module also
doesn't use thumbnails - it uses the main property image resized in the browser, as this is
designed to be a larger display image.
5. Display position:The single featured vehicle listing module was written to display a larger image and the
full description text of the listing - so it's NOT meant to be displayed in a sidebar position.
This module should be displayed in a position above or below the main page content.
6. Menu item
7. Translation:The featured vehicle module comes with its own language files, and these are located in
the modules/mod_ezautos_featured directory if using Mambo/Joomla 1.0x or the modules/
mod_ezautos_featured directory if using Joomla 1.5x.
132
EZ Autos 6x
the save button.
8.3
Featured dealer/seller module
The featured dealer/seller module allows you to display a random profile in a module
position. It displays a thumbnail image and some introductory information.
Package:- mod_ezautos_featureddealer_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
3. Image display options:Displays a single thumbnail-sized image.
133
5. Menu item
the save button.
8.4
Latest sellers module
The latest dealers/sellers module allows you to display a number of thumbnail images of
the latest dealers/sellers to create profiles on your site.
Package:- mod_ezautos_latestsellers_version#.zip
134
EZ Autos 6x
1.
Installation:-
link in the admin area, then open up the module and edit the various parameters. Things
to configure include the module title (as you don't have to leave the name EZ Autos in
the module title), how many sellers to display, how many columns to display them in, the
width of the columns, and the module position etc.
3. Display orientation:Images can be displayed across the page horizontally or down the page vertically. The
orientation is determined by the number of columns you set. For example - if wanting to
display 5 images horizontally, define 5 as the total number of listings to display, set the
column number as 5, and set the column width to 20%. If wanting to display 5 images
vertically, define 5 as the total number of listings to display, set the column number to 1,
and set the column width to 100%.
5. Menu item
the save button.
8.5
135
EZ Autos Makes Module
The EZ Autos Makes module allows you to display a list of vehicle makes with the number
of associated listings in a module position. It displays a hyperlink that leads to a listing of
all vehicles for each vehicle make listed.
Package:- mod_ezautos_makes_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
positions are or refer to any documentation that came with the template. The page
output of the vehicle makes module is a vertical output - so it would be suitable for a
sidebar position.
136
EZ Autos 6x
4. Menu item
the save button.
8.6
EZ Autos menu module
The menu module will allow you to display a list of internal EZ Autos links in a menu
module format. Do not confuse the menu module with an actual menu item created via
the Mambo/Joomla menu manager. You MUST first create a menu item to EZ Autos using
the core Mambo/Joomla menu manager.
Package:- mod_ezautos_menu_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
2.
137
Configuration:-
Configure the various module parameters by clicking on the "Modules" -> "Site Modules"
3. Display orientation:The menu is only coded for a vertical display orientation.
5. Menu item
6. Translation:The menu module comes with its own language files, and these are located in the
modules/mod_ezautos_menu directory if using Mambo or Joomla 1.0, or the modules/
mod_ezautos_menu/mod_ezautos_menu directory if using Joomla 1.5..
the save button.
138
8.7
EZ Autos 6x
Multiple featured vehicles module
The multiple featured vehicle listings module will allow you to display a number of
randomly selected featured vehicle listings in a module position. It displays a thumbnail
image and the short description.
Package:- mod_ezautos_multifeatured_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
display 2 listings horizontally, define 2 as the total number of listings to display, set the
column number as 2, and set the column width to 50%. If wanting to display 2 listings
139
and set the column width to 100%. To display 4 listings in a block of 2 columns by 2 rows
- define 4 as the total number of listings, set the column number to 2, and set the column
width to 50%.
4. Image display options:You have 3 image display options - plain thumbnail display, thumbnail with javascript
popup image, or the slimbox image popup system. The system you choose really depends
on your site needs - remember - the fancier the system the more resources it chews up,
and the slower your site will take to load.
6. Menu item
7. Translation:The multiple featured vehicles module comes with its own language files, and these are
located in the modules/mod_ezautos_multifeatured directory if using Mambo/Joomla 1.0x
or the modules/mod_ezautos_multifeatured/mod_ezautos_multifeatured directory if using
Joomla 1.5x.
the save button.
140
8.8
EZ Autos 6x
New vehicle listings module
The new vehicle listings module will allow you to display the latest vehicle listings in a
module position.
Package:- mod_ezautos_new_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
link in the admin area, then open up the module and edit the various parameters. Once
you've done this - click the save button.
4. Image display options: 2010 K.J. Strickland
141
You have 3 image display options - plain thumbnail display, thumbnail with javascript
6. Menu item
8.9
Random vehicle listings module
The random vehicle listings module will allow you to display a number of randomly selected
vehicle listings in a module position.
Package:- mod_ezautos_random_version#.zip
142
EZ Autos 6x
1.
Installation:-
4. Image display options:You have 3 image display options - plain thumbnail display, thumbnail with javascript
6. Menu item
the save button.
8.10
143
Search module
The search module allows you to display a search filter in a module position.
Package:- mod_ezautos_search_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
4. Translation:The search module comes with its own language files, and these are located in the
144
EZ Autos 6x
modules/mod_ezautos_search directory if using Mambo/Joomla 1.0x or the modules/

mod_ezautos_search/mod_ezautos_search directory if using Joomla 1.5x.
5. Menu item
the save button.
8.11
Slideshow module
The slideshow module will allow you to display a number of thumbnail images of vehicle
listings in a module position. It has an arrow at either end, so you're able to swing
backwards and forwards looking at the thumbnail images - and clicking on a thumbnail will
then take you to the full details page.
Package:- mod_ezautos_slideshow_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
145
Other values you may want to configure include the CSS styling, and this is done via the
style sheet which is located in the modules/mod_ezautos_slideshow/css directory. You
will find the arrow graphics in the modules/mod_ezautos_slideshow/images directory.
3. Display orientation:Images can be only be displayed horizontally across the page, and a sidebar display
position is not usually suitable as it lacks sufficient width for a good display.
4. Special considerations:Because this module is loading the image1 thumbnail for every listing you allow - the more
listings you specify - the longer the page load time. The slideshow module is a nice front
page toy - but it's not recommended for display on every page due to the impact on page
loading times.
One other special consideration is this module should not be displayed on a full details
page that also uses the slideshow as the image system. Running 2 slideshows on the one
page will break one of the slideshows due to a code clash - and it will also affect the
google mapping.
5. Display position:This module has been designed for across the page display - this will give the best visual
effect. It is NOT designed for display on EZ Autos component pages - as it will break the
Google mapping system.
The module display position you choose depends on the modules you have available on
your Mambo/Joomla template - so spend a bit of time looking at your template's index.php
code to see where the module positions are or refer to any documentation that came
with the template. The banner module position is a good choice to start with, as it
usually has sufficient width across the page.
6. Menu item
146
EZ Autos 6x
the save button.
8.12
EZ Loan calculator module
The loan calculator module will allow you to display a simple javascript loan calculator in a
module position. It's a simple one - so it may not be suitable for your part of the world.
Package:- mod_ezloancalc_version#.zip
1.
Installation:-
3. Translation:The loan calculator now comes with its own language files, and these are located in the
modules/mod_ezloancalc directory if using Mambo/Joomla 1.0x or the modules/
147
mod_ezloancalc/mod_ezloancalc directory if using Joomla 1.5.
5. Modification:If you want to change the calculation rates - this is done by editing the mod_ezloancalc.
php file located in the modules directory.
6. Menu item
the save button.
Part
IX
Overview of the miscellaneous addons
Overview of the miscellaneous addons
9.1
Content element files for JoomFish
149
The content element files for JoomFish are used to translate the EZ Autos database
content into multiple languages using the JoomFish component for Joomla.
Each of these files relates to an EZ Autos database table, and they get uploaded via FTP
to the administrator/components/com_joomfish/contentelements directory.
You will need to follow the JoomFish instructions on how to get your site setup for
multiple languages, as well as to how translations are done. All enquiries relating to how
to use JoomFish should be directed to the JoomFish support mechanisms - as these are
the people who can help you use JoomFish.
150
EZ Autos 6x
Endnotes 2... (after index)
The end

EZ Autos 6x

Transféré par

Informations du document

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

EZ Autos 6x

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

EZ Autos 6x

2010 K.J. Strickland

EZ Autos User's Guide

Part II The download packages

Part III Installations and Upgrades

Part IV Overview and use of EZ Autos

Overview of the .........................................................................................................................................

Home page .......................................................................................................................................................... 111

Part V Overview and use of Autos Map

Part VI Over and use of Auto Adverts

Part VII Overview and use of EZ Feeds

Part VIII Overview and use of available modules

Part IX Overview of the miscellaneous addons

2010 K.J. Strickland

2010 K.J. Strickland

2010 K.J. Strickland

Multiple Business Models

2010 K.J. Strickland

PayPal IPN Enabled

Expiry Management System

Multiple currency support

Professional Image Presentation

2010 K.J. Strickland

VIP Buyer's Register

RSS 2.0 Feeds

Multiple ways to search

2010 K.J. Strickland

Joomla! 1.5x content management system.

If your support subscription membership has expired:-

2010 K.J. Strickland

2010 K.J. Strickland

The download packages

EZ Autos component package

The download packages

Autos Map component package

2010 K.J. Strickland

Auto Adverts component package

2. Configuration:There is no configuration required for Auto Adverts, as it calls all necessary

EZ Feeds component package

The download packages

The modules packages

2010 K.J. Strickland

Other available downloads

1. jReviews voting and commenting integration support: 2010 K.J. Strickland

The download packages

jReviews Everywhere files.zip (**not currently available for download as integration

2. JoomFish translation support:JoomFish Files.zip

2010 K.J. Strickland

Installations and Upgrades

Installations and Upgrades

Key EZ Feeds component installation activities:1. Install the EZ Feeds component

Various EZ Autos Modules

2010 K.J. Strickland

New EZ Autos Installation

Installations and Upgrades

2010 K.J. Strickland

Upgrading from V5 to V6x of EZ Autos

Installations and Upgrades

2010 K.J. Strickland

New Autos Map Installation

NOTE - failure to install and publish the plg_autosmap_version#.zip plugin

Autos Map upgrades

Installations and Upgrades

NOTE - failure to install and publish the plg_autosmap_version#.zip plugin